By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-05 23:15:56 | Updated at 2026-10-07 02:50:27
1 day ago
A retired Royal Air Force officer has been killed in a parasailing accident off the coast of Malta, while his wife suffered serious injuries during the same incident.
Daryl Mayhew, 59, from Redbourn in Hertfordshire, had been enjoying the early days of a Mediterranean holiday with his wife Dawn, 60, when the couple opted to try the popular watersport.
The pair were parasailing together off the resort town of St Julian's on September 19, when strong winds reportedly caused them to plummet into the sea at speed.
Mr Mayhew, who had spent a quarter of a century serving in the RAF before embarking on a second career as a health and safety consultant, was pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency medical intervention, according to the Daily Mail.
The accident occurred at approximately 1pm, roughly a mile and a half from the St Julian's coastline. The couple were attached to a parachute canopy being towed behind a boat when high winds are believed to have sent them hurtling downwards into the water.
Witnesses watched the pair plummeting into the sea at considerable speed.
A second vessel that had been conducting parasailing trips nearby rushed to assist, bringing both Mr and Mrs Mayhew back to shore.
An emergency medical team attended to the couple upon their return to land. Despite their efforts, Mr Mayhew could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene.
A retired Royal Air Force officer has been killed in a parasailing accident off the coast of Malta, while his wife suffered grievous injuries during the same incident
FACEBOOK: DAZ MAYHEW
Mrs Mayhew was transported by ambulance to Mater Dei Hospital, where medical staff determined she had sustained serious injuries. She is understood to have recovered relatively swiftly.
Mr Mayhew initially served in the British Army before transferring to the Royal Air Force, where he spent approximately 25 years predominantly in a logistics role. He departed the service around a decade ago to pursue a career in health and safety consultancy.
A family friend, paying tribute to the man known affectionately as Daz, told the newspaper: "Daz enjoyed spending time with the people he loved."
Daryl Mayhew had spent a quarter of a century serving in the RAF before embarking on a second career as a health and safety consultant
FACEBOOK: DAZ MAYHEW
The friend also confirmed the circumstances surrounding the tragedy: "It was a parasailing accident. The weather wasn't ideal. The police investigation is ongoing."
Mrs Mayhew's children flew to Malta immediately upon learning of the incident, rushing to be at their mother's bedside.
"Obviously the family is absolutely devastated," the friend added.
Maltese authorities have opened a criminal inquiry into Mr Mayhew's death, with a magistrate leading the investigation.
Daryl Mayhew initially served in the British Army before transferring to the Royal Air Force, where he spent approximately 25 years predominantly in a logistics role
FACEBOOK: DAZ MAYHEW
The tragedy follows a strikingly similar incident in August, when a 66-year-old British woman died during a parasailing excursion in Benidorm.
She was reportedly dashed against rocks after a powerful gust of wind snapped the line connecting her parachute canopy to the towing vessel.
Her husband, 47, survived but suffered broken ribs.
