Parachutist was filming skydiver during fatal fall

A videographer who died during a parachute jump had been filming another skydiver, an inquest has heard.

Sam Cornwell, 46, from Hampshire, was skydiving in County Durham in April, when his main parachute failed to open properly.

A preliminary inquest hearing was held at Crook Civic Centre.

The coroner said further investigation was needed and the full inquest hearing should be heard with a jury, and adjourned the case for a further hearing on 14 January.

The inquest heard Mr Cornwell was skydiving on 28 April, near Shotton airfield.

CCTV footage from South West Industrial Estate, near Peterlee, showed how the falling parachutist struck a roof.

He suffered critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the industrial estate.

Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield heard from Jan Bostock, a senior environmental health officer with Durham County Council.

Mr Bostock said he had watched the footage taken on Mr Cornwell's helmet-mounted camera of the other parachutist.

The officer told the inquest Mr Cornwell's main canopy was deployed but it was twisted, but he did not yet know why.

He said Mr Cornwell's reserve chute did not properly deploy either and further investigation was necessary.

The county council was also seeking independent analysis of the altimeter, GoPro camera footage and the other equipment used by Mr Cornwell on the day, Mr Bostock added.

Sky-High Skydiving, which operates out of the airfield, previously said: "We are all deeply saddened by the loss of a close friend, colleague and talented member of our team, our skydiving family."

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