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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Michael Howie

Skydiver, 32, who plunged to death had no sign of equipment failure, inquest told

An inquest hearing for a 32-year-old woman who died while skydiving was told "there was no reason to suspect equipment failure".

Marketing manager Jade Damarell died after crashing onto farmland near Fleming Field, Shotton Colliery, County Durham, on April 27.

At a brief inquest opening hearing in Crook, County Durham, coroner's officer Alexis Blighe told the court that Ms Damarell was born in Kowloon, Hong Kong, and lived in Caerphilly, Wales.

Ms Blighe said: "I understand the circumstances to be that Ms Damarell was involved in a parachute incident on April 27."

A post-mortem examination at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, carried out by Dr James Henry, found that she died as a result of "blunt trauma".

Ms Blighe said the body was identified by Bryn Chaffe who was chief instructor at the skydiving firm she used.

Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield asked Ms Blighe: "There's no reason to suspect equipment failure?"

Ms Blighe replied: "No reason at all."

It has been previously reported that Ms Damarell was a highly experienced skydiver.

Following her death, Sky-High Skydiving said: "It is with great sadness that we confirm a tragic incident took place involving a valued member of our community."

Mr Chipperfield adjourned the full inquest until August 21.

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