A British thrill seeker taking part in a parachuting festival was killed when he lost control and crashed against a cliff face.

Base jumper Dilip Marcus Sundhod had travelled with a group of friends to the International Air Games Festival in Turkey.

The 47-year-old performed a free fall from a 1,300-ft cliff in the Butterfly Valley in Fethiye, in Mugla Province, and opened his parachute shortly after. However, when he opened the chute, he lost control and smashed into the steep rockface.

His distraught friends alerted emergency services and the National Medical Rescue (UMKE) and Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK) teams were dispatched to the area.

Teams spent an hour getting to the remote location he had fallen and confirmed he had died in the accident.

Dilip’s body was lowered to Butterfly Valley with a rope, and from there, it was brought to Kumburnu Beach by a Coast Guard boat. His body was then taken to Fethiye State Hospital morgue.

Briton Dilip Marcus Sundhod (pictured with his partner Claire), 47, came to Fethiye, district of Mugla, in Turkey, to participate in the International Air Games Festival with a group of friends- Photo: dailymail

According to local media, Sundhod’s jump was a separate free fall that was not part of the festival activities. Investigators are looking into the legality of the jump and whether all the proper safety regulations for the dangerous sport were observed.

A gofundme page, launched to help bring Dilip home, has already raised more than £6,000. A tribute written online read: “To those who knew him, Dilip was a shining light, whose infectious laugh and smile would touch all who met him. His recent death in a tragic Base jumping accident while on holiday in Turkey has left a gaping hole in many lives.

“He was well known in paragliding, skydiving and base jumping communities which has been echoed and reflected in the outpouring of touching and beautiful messages being shared.

“While Dilip had an extreme sports+ insurance package the claim against this policy was rejected. We now have the painful task of repatriating him to the UK while his soulmate, Claire remains by his side in Turkey, with this situation only making the current task that much harder. We just want him home.

The Butterfly Valley is a popular spot with base jumpers or paragliders- Photo: dailymail

“Please help us support Claire at this most difficult time, with all funds going to her to make this happen. Every contribution, no matter how large or small will have a meaningful impact as his family and friends come to terms with this tragedy.”

A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed it was “aware” a British man had died in Turkey and it was in touch with local authorities, although it has not been approached for assistance.