Mark Sutton, the stuntman who took part in the Olympics opening ceremony dressed as James Bond, died while wingsuit flying in Switzerland.


Wingsuit flyers can travel further than typical skydivers, so it’s more difficult to predict the landing spot Photo: Rex Features


10:55AM BST 15 Aug 2013

Wingsuit flying uses a special jumpsuit that has fabric between the legs and under the arms, adding surface area and creating lift, which allows the wearer to safely “fly”.

Fliers must jump from a high point that has enough altitude for flight, and often jump from a skydiving drop aircraft. The flight usually ends with a parachute opening, and is similar to skydiving.

But Wingsuit flyers can travel further than typical skydivers, so it’s more difficult to predict the landing spot and the sport is considered much more complicated than typical skydiving.

Mr Sutton, 42, was killed on Wednesday after crashing into a ridge near Martigny at the Swiss-French border. A statement from police in the area said he was considered "among the best in the world" at the discipline.



James Bond stunt double Mark Sutton (left) with Gary Connery as the skydiving 'Queen' prepare for their dramatic arrival at the Olympics 2012 opening ceremony (Karen Sutton/Getty Images)


15 Aug 2013

The British Parachute Association (BPA) says that a skydiver must have completed at least 500 skydiving descents, or 200 free-fall descents within 18 months before they can take their first Wingsuit flight course.
The BPA Wingsuit training manual says: “By using a Wingsuit suit you are able to travel vast distances from your actual exit point and easily double or more your freefall time.
“A proficient sky flyer is capable of reaching horizontal speeds between 60 –145mph (90 – 235km/h) and just 30 – 80mph (50 – 100km/h) vertically. You are able to fly anywhere from 1 – 3 minutes from 13,000ft (4,000m) before deploying your parachute.”

The area of Trient, Switzerland where stuntman Mark Sutton was killed in an accident (Limelight Marketing/Getty Images/PA)

Fliers must also learn specific Wingsuit flying techniques, such as specific flight positions and how to turn.
Mr Sutton, a former Army officer, played the role of Daniel Craig's Bond in the most memorable sequence of the opening ceremony, accompanying another stuntman dressed as the Queen.