Sydney Crossland celebrates 100th birthday

One of the UK’s bravest centenarians is hoping to break the world record to become the oldest tandem skydiver.

On 2 August, Sydney Crossland celebrated his 100th birthday by jumping 15,000ft and free-falling for 60 seconds at a speed of 125mph.

The former game ranger and engineer, who previously worked in Zambia, has now set his sights on beating the world record, currently held by 101-year-old Verdun Hayes.

Describing his first skydive, Mr Crossland from Emsworth, Hampshire, said: “It’s better than staying at home playing Scrabble. The view was fantastic – you could see Stonehenge. It makes a change from a mobility scooter – they don’t usually require a parachute.”

According to Henk Post, one of GoSkydive’s most experienced instructors, Mr Crossland “didn’t seem nervous” and was “a natural”.