Policeman's death-defying skydive scare

DC Homewood, based in Worthing and Shoreham before moving recently to CID headquarters in Brighton, was diving in tandem when his instructor's chute twisted, sending them both tumbling hundreds of feet at 120mph.

The 43-year-old said he thought he would die until the instructor's reserve chute opened. The pair spotted the tangled remains of the first chute floating away.

He said: "I didn't really know what was happening at first although I knew we shouldn't be spinning around like we were.

"I thought for one horrible moment that the instructor had unclipped me and I was free-falling alone, without a chute.

"I thought 'Crumbs (or something a bit stronger), I'm heading for oblivion', but then the instructor tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the first chute flying off.

"I was a bit ashen-faced when we landed.

"I'm scared of heights at the best of times and my wife and daughter were against me doing it in the first place. They were frightened for me and refused to come and watch."

DC Homewood was telling of his ordeal for the first time since his charity dive near Northampton in August.

He said he's now asking his sponsors to pay double: "I needed two chutes so I think it is only fair they cough up twice."

He and other members of the force Major Crime Branch have raised more than 7,000 for the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. They hope to raise a total of 25,000 in memory of colleague DC Tina Braiden who was being treated at the hospital before she died last month.

The team, calling themselves Cops that Drop for the skydive, are planning to take part in the BUPA Great South Run on October 28. To sponsor the officers, now calling themselves Cops that Trot, go to www.justgiving.com/copsthattrot