UPDATE: Family pay tribute to woman who died in parachute accident

Pamela Gower, 49, was fatally injured after landing on a parked car in a County Durham housing estate on Saturday afternoon.

It is understood the tragedy happened just months after Miss Gower, who was born with dwarfism, was given permission to jump with specially adapted equipment.

Her parents, Catherine and Len, said on behalf of the family: “Pamela was a great girl who was loved by her family so much and was a wonderful daughter and sister. Pamela was a very determined and independent woman who let nothing get in her way and we feel this photograph of her next to the Taj Mahal is a perfect example of this.

“Our mam always told Pamela how proud she was of her, as was the rest of our family. We will remember how she always saw the funny side of things, just like her ‘Da’.

“She often asked her ‘Da’ who was his favourite, and he used to say ‘you were the best of a bad bunch!’ as there were five children. She will be a huge miss as she was loved by everybody.

“It was lovely to hear the warm messages from everyone and we would like to thank people for sending us their kind words. We would also like to thank all those who were involved in trying to help Pamela, from the nurse and the ex-soldier who were first on the scene to the various agencies who tried to save Pamela, including the police, ambulance service, paramedics and the hospital.

“As a family we are devastated at this very difficult time and would appreciate privacy to grieve in peace.”

Shocked eyewitnesses have told of their desperate efforts to save Miss Gower, and Durham Police confirmed a major investigation is underway involving its officers, the Health and Safety Executive, and the British Parachute Association.

Ms Gower's cousin, Anthony Cairns, paid tribute to her online and said: “RIP Pamela Gower, we will all always love you so much."

He added: “She certainly lived life to the full, that's for sure.

“Just makes you are aware that you have to make the most of life as you have no idea when it is likely to be taken away from you. 

“She was doing exactly that I guess, doing what she loved.”

Ms Gower, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, described herself as a 'crazy trainee skydiver' on Facebook and posted several pictures of her skydiving adventures over the last two years.

Her profile picture shows her smiling, dressed in parachuting gear with the caption: "Nothing makes me more happy than skydiving, can't wait for the next jump!!!!".

She worked as an employment advisor for Remploy, an organisation which provides employment placements for disabled people, and recently raised hundreds of pounds for Cancer Research UK.

A Remploy spokesperson said: "She had worked for the company for many years and was a valued and respected member of the Remploy team.

"Our thoughts are with her family, friends and work colleagues past and present. We will be offering whatever support is required at this very difficult time."

Ms Gower got into difficulty during a jump from a plane that left Shotton Airfield, near Peterlee, and fell to the ground in nearby Weldon Close, Shotton Colliery.

Peterlee Parachute Centre manager Ian Rosenvinge said the inquiry into what happened was already underway.

It is understood that Miss Gower's reserve chute deployed, but the full circumstances behind her death are subject of a large-scale investigation.

He said: “We are extremely sad for her family and all of those who knew her.

“She was a particularly popular person at the centre and was a lovely person.”

An eyewitness, who did not want to be identified, was having a cup of coffee in his garden when he saw a group of parachutists jump out of their plane.

He said: “I see them every day so I don't take much notice but this one made me look up.

“I could hear a fluttering noise and it sounded unusual. I could see it was not the main parachute, because they're massive.

“It was so close to the ground. 

“All I can see is her spinning like a top.” 

Emergency services were called to the scene at 3.45pm. Miss Gower was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough by the Great North Air Ambulance, but died from her injuries.

The Great North Air Ambulance at the scene Picture: Tom Banks

Neil Robertson, 54, who lives in Weldon Close, said he and his neighbours tried to save her before paramedics arrived on the scene.

He said: “I heard a loud noise and my wife shouting for help. I ran out and saw it was a parachutist. She was face down and unresponsive. 

“We searched for a pulse but could not find one. There was no sign of breathing so we started doing CPR. 

Neil Robertson, who tried to save Ms Gower

“The ambulance arrived after about eight minutes and the paramedics took over." 

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said the force has launched an investigation with the the Health and Safety Executive and the British Parachute Association, the sport’s national governing body.

The coroner has been informed and a post mortem will be carried out in due course.

“Our thoughts are with Miss Gower’s family at this difficult time," added the spokesman.