Brit tourist, 34, dies in base jumping accident in France in front of horrified pal on friends’ holiday

A British tourist has been killed in a base jumping accident in France. The 34-year-old man, from Newnham, West Northamptonshire, was on holiday with three British friends, one of whom witnessed the horrific accident. AFPThe Brit died in the French Alps[/caption] Police have launched an investigation into the tragedy in the Isere department and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region. It is not yet known whether the accident was a result of technical failure or human error. A police spokesman said: “We are investigating to find out the cause of this accident. “It appears that the man had possibly opened his parachute and then crashed into a cliff. Most read in World News BATTLE STATIONS Moment ‘Russian ship packed with ammo is hit’ as Putin’s fleet flee PUT-IN HIS PLACE Chance of Putin being deposed in coup 'grows every week amid Ukraine war' BLOWN TO PIECES Moment Russian tank obliterated by missile as Putin 'loses 3,300 vehicles' RAIDERS OF LOST OLIGARCH Inside Everton-linked Russian oligarch's £455m superyacht TERROR TACTICS Russia 'using phosphorous bombs' on Ukraine sparking chemical attack fears 'SICK ATTACK' Moment brave shoppers haul rape suspect off woman in supermarket “But at present we don’t know exactly what happened.” The group had been holidaying in Millau where they had been base jumping, an extreme adrenaline sport which entails launching from a high fixed point, such as a cliff or building, and going into free-fall before deploying a parachute to slow the descent and land. Base jumpers carry only one parachute in contrast with skydivers who jump with a main and a reserve parachute. On Tuesday the weather was clear and the group decided to base jump in the gorges de la Bourne in the picturesque town of Châtelus. READ MORE UK STORIES DEADLY TRIP Spring Break tragedy as woman, 22, drowns in Cancun after spate of shootings LAST DATES First Dates couples who found love including mum who was pregnant during show They launched themselves off the Bournillon cliff. One of the man’s friends raised the alarm after seeing that his friend’s parachute would not open. Rescuers were alerted shortly before 7pm. He was found at the base of a steep cliff which was difficult for rescuers to reach. Read More on The Sun BATTLE STATIONS Moment ‘Russian ship packed with ammo is hit’ as Putin’s fleet flee carl speaks out Carl Woods breaks silence after court appearance as he begs fans for help Two rescuers were winched as close as possible to the injured man. Once he was secured he was lowered to a more accessible opening. He was then airlifted in a critical condition to Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes where he died from his injuries.