Inquest told of paraglide tragedy

4:03am Friday 16th May 2008

A PARAGLIDER pilot plummeted to the ground after his canopy collapsed, witnesses told an inquest.

Simon Kirby, 45, died three days after crashing into a hillside while paragliding in the Yorkshire Dales.

An inquest at Teesside Coroner's Court yesterday was told that Mr Kirby had gone flying with his partner, Patsey Riley, to Wether Fell, near Hawes, on May 26, last year.

Witness Dudley Kitching, who was paragliding near Mr Kirby, saw the crash.

He estimated that 60 per cent of Mr Kirby's paraglider canopy had deflated.

He said the wing began to re-inflate as the paraglider fell, but he hit the ground before he could regain control.

Mr Kirby was flying at between 50ft and 100ft when the crash happened. The pilot, from Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, was found by onlookers lying on a steep slope after colliding feet-first with a rock.

Mr Kirby was comforted by his partner as he was carried by firefighters and paramedics to an air ambulance.

In a statement, Miss Riley said: "He kept saying 'I'm sorry' and I said 'It's not your fault'.

"He looked really scared."

The paraglider pilot was flown to The James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where he was found to have suffered multiple injuries, including a broken pelvis. Emergency surgery was carried out to stop internal bleeding.

However, Mr Kirby died three days later.

A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said turbulence was probably to blame for causing the canopy to deflate.

The inquest was told Mr Kirby was a trained and experienced paraglider.

Wind conditions on the day were described as challenging, but not unduly dangerous.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Michael Sheffield said: "It was a tragic end to an activity which he was clearly good at and clearly enjoyed."

After the hearing, Mr Kirby's mother, Gina Kirby, from Moulton, near Richmond, thanked paramedics and hospital staff for their efforts to save her son.

She said: "In silent prayer and with all my being, I too fought along with the team hour after hour.

"Sadly, my son grew too tired to carry on and he slipped quietly away."