Renowned underwater photographer Dan Burton and Australian biologist Sacha Dench were in the final stages of a challenge to circumnavigate Britain to raise awareness of climate change when their paramotors collided, BBC News reports.
Dan Burton (left) with X-Ray Mag's editor in Jordan 2019
Dan Burton was known to the international dive community as a true pioneer who, among many other endeavours, explored using technical diving in combination with underwater photography. At least that is what he was up to when we first met in the 1990s.
Sacha Dench was attempting a 3,000-mile journey in a motorised paraglider ahead of November's COP26 UN climate change conference with Dan Burton working in support as her cameraman.
According to the BBC, police said their paramotors collided close to Loch Na Gainmhich near Lochinver in Sutherland. Emergency services were alerted to the incident at about 16:45 on Saturday.
Devon-based charity Conservation Without Borders, which Sacha Dench founded, said in a statement: "We are very sorry to have to confirm that Dan Burton, the support paramotorist has died as a result of the accident. Sacha Dench is seriously injured and is being treated in hospital. Her injuries are serious but not life-threatening."
(to be updated)
