Last moments of videographer whose parachute failed to open while filming fellow skydiver

The last moments of a videographer whose parachute failed while filming a fellow skydiver have been discussed in an inquest.

Sam Cornwell, 46, from Hampshire, died during a parachute jump near Shotton airfield in County Durham on 28 April.

He was pronounced dead at South West Industrial Estate following critical injuries.

A preliminary inquest held at Crook Civic Centre on Monday (16 September) heard that Cornwell died while filming another skydiver.

It was found that Cornwell's main canopy had opened but was twisted, making it useless. The reserve shoot also failed to deploy properly in the jump.

Videographer Sam Cornwell died during a parachute jump in County Durham on 28 April (Facebook/Sam Cornwell)

Jan Bostock, a senior environmental health officer with Durham County Council, told coroner Jeremy Chipperfield that it would be seeking independent analysis of the altimeter, GoPro camera footage and the other equipment used on the day.

Bostock said he has witnessed CCTV footage showing Cornwell's final moments when he struck a roof, the inquest heard.

He claims to have watched footage taken on Cornwell’s helmet-mounted camera of the other parachutist.

“We have got the imagery of the person he is being paid to take the video of,” Mr Bostock said. “They appear to shoot off, when it is actually their descent that is slowing.”

The coroner suggested that a full inquest hearing should go ahead with the inclusion of a jury.

Chipperfield said proceedings will resume on 14 January, 2025.

Following the tragedy, friends and family have issued heartfelt tributes to Cornwell, with his sister Toni saying: "My lovely brother Sam sadly passed away after a skydiving accident. Words can't describe how we are feeling.

A preliminary inquest into Sam Cornwell's death has taken place (Google Maps)

"He meant so much to so many people. He was very loved and will be sorely missed."

Jerrie Mallon, his best friend, also said: "I really can't understand why it had to happen to the kindest, most caring human I've ever known. It was an honour to have you as our best man for our wedding and you even managed to get me there on time.

"We're just so devastated our little Walter will never get to know his godfather and understand what a true legend of a gentleman you are.

"I always imagined us two sitting in a bar in our 80s sipping on our pints telling the young nippers about our unbelievable reckless antics we got up to as we grew up terrorising the streets of Godshill. Who's going to back up the stories now?"

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