Paraglider battled for control before cliff crash

Malcolm Grout died on a Lake District peak in February

A highly experienced paraglider was seen battling to control his equipment before his fatal crash into a Lake District fell cliff, an inquest has heard.

Malcolm Grout, 63, died at Sharp Edge on Blencathra, Cumbria, on 25 February.

One witness told Cockermouth Coroners' Court they saw "uncontrolled flips and rotations" before "the weather blew him sideways into the mountainside with a large bang".

Paying tribute to the father of two, Cumbria coroner Kirsty Gomersal concluded his death was accidental.

The inquest heard Mr Grout was a respected pilot and instructor who supported disabled people to enjoy the sport through the charity Flyability.

He meticulously recorded outings in logbooks and was used to flying in different weather conditions, the inquest was told.

Mr Grout suffered unsurvivable multiple injuries in a crash on Foule Crag, the inquest heard

Early in his flight, Mr Grout caught thermal air which allowed him to significantly gain altitude, the inquest heard.

In his last radio communication to others, he reported getting "quite a bit of sink" on his way across Bannerdale Crags, but described conditions "working well".

One of his sons, Rob, told the court it was "not the normal route" to go "straight-lining it over the ridges", as his father had.

"He would have just been waiting for a thermal to pop off in a place that we know is a stupid place.

"He did regularly fly into places that a lot of people would have certainly hesitated.

"He fully understood what he was doing and the risks he was taking and he was comfortable with that risk."

Coroner Kirsty Gomersal paid tribute to the rescue teams who were deployed on the day

Witnesses saw him suddenly elevate around 9-12m (30-40ft).

"I could see he was pulling on the [paraglider] handles," said one.

"I could see that something wasn’t right. I could see that he was struggling to control it."

Mr Grout’s canopy collapsed and he died instantly from multiple injuries sustained when he crashed into the cliff.

A rescue team sent to the site reported finding Mr Grout's helmet about 100m from him.

A British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association investigation found Mr Grout’s equipment was not a factor in the tragedy.

There had been turbulent air at the time and he experienced an "asymmetric collapse".

Even if an emergency parachute had been fitted, successful deployment may not have been possible.

Mr Grout, who was born in Birmingham and lived at Guisborough before moving to Cumbria, had been a "friend to many", the coroner said.

Ms Gomersal, who also paid tribute to rescuers, added: "I have no doubt that he will be sorely missed, not just by his family but by the flying community."