Jade Damarell (Image: undefined)
A skydiver who plummeted 15,500ft to her death had split from her boyfriend just hours before she died, an inquest into her death heard today.
Jade Damarell, 32, died after falling onto farmland in the village of Shotton Colliery, Co Durham, on April 27. The marketing manager was born in Hong Kong and lived in Caerphilly, Wales, and was an experienced skydiver with more than 400 jumps previously completed.
The inquest heard there was ‘no reason to suspect’ her equipment was not working on the day she died. A report by British SkyDiving added that she had successfully carried out six skydives the day before her death, reports The Mirror.
However, on the day she died Ms Damarell ‘made no attempt’ to activate her parachute or back up device. The back up system, known as Automatic Activation Device (AAD), would have opened when her main shoot did not open but it had not been switched on.
Jade did not activate the device and fell to the ground, suffering ‘multiple injuries’ when she landed on her back in a field. In a statement to the inquest in Crook, Co Durham today, her boyfriend Ben Goodfellow confirmed that they had “ended their relationship” the night before she died.
Jade Damarell (Image: FACEBOOK)
They met through their ‘mutual love of skydiving’, he said in a brief statement read by coroner Dr Leslie Hamilton. Jade was not wearing a helmet for the jump, and was seen having some breakfast at 8.30am at the sky dive centre shortly before the jump at 10am.
Dr Hamilton concluded that she died by suicide, and expressed his condolences to the family. The inquest was told that she had also left a notes folder at around 2.30am on the morning of her death; one was to the family, “apologising and thanking them for their support”.
It gave details of passwords for her financial accounts. It is understood that she had been in a relationship with Ben, a 26-year-old car technician and musician, for about eight months.
She also left notes for her family on her phone, the inquest was told. Ms Damarell’s parachute did not open during the fatal skydive, where she is thought to have reached speeds of around 120 mph in her descent.
Jade Damarell (Image: undefined)
Mr Hamilton said a scan at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, carried out by Dr James Henry, found that she died as a result of “blunt trauma”.
The opening to the inquest earlier this year heard that the body was identified by Bryn Chaffe, who was chief instructor at the skydiving firm she used.
Jade’s courageous mum took part in a sky dive to honour her daughter following the tragedy.
In a statement at the time of her death, mum Liz Samuels and her family said: “Skydiving and its fantastic community meant so much to Jade and we’re incredibly comforted by how admired, respected and deeply loved she was.
“We miss her beyond words but Jade’s love, brilliance, courage and light will live on in our family and among all those who knew and loved her.”
In a statement at the end of the inquest today, her family added: “We acknowledge and accept the conclusion of the coroner’s inquest into our daughter Jade’s death.
“Once again, we express our sincere thanks to all services involved for the care and compassion given. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Sky-High Skydiving and the fantastic ‘SkyFam’ community.
“You meant so much to Jade, and we’re incredibly comforted by how admired, respected and deeply loved she was. Jade loved the sport with a passion, and it brought her so much joy.
WARNING TAKEN FROM INTERNET WITHOUT PERMISSIONTragedy behind skydiver, 32, who jumped 10,000ft to deathPictured: Ben GoodfellowJade Damarell, 32, died instantly after hitting the ground while parachuting with Sky-High Skydiving in County Durham on Sunday morning. (Image: undefined)
“Sky-High handled the tragedy and investigation into Jade’s death professionally and with compassion that allowed us to all share in our grief.
“So much so, Sky-High Skydiving helped us to celebrate Jade’s life with a very fitting tribute and final farewell. Ending with Jade’s mum, Liz honouring Jade’s memory with a final tandem jump.
“Our beloved daughter Jade was a brilliant, beautiful, brave and truly extraordinary person. A bright, adventurous, free spirit, she lived with immense energy, passion and love and touched countless lives with her warmth and kindness.
“By speaking openly and without shame, we hope to contribute to a culture where mental ill-health is met with kindness and support, and where people in deep distress, and those around them, feel seen, believed, able to reach for support without fear of judgment.
Jade Damarell with her mum (Image: undefined)
“We miss Jade beyond words, but Jade’s love, brilliance, courage and light will live on in our family and among all those who knew and loved her.
“Some stars are so bright, they burn through their time too quickly, but their light never truly fades. Please respect our family’s privacy at this time.”
Jade’s family have set up a GoFundMe in her memory in aid of the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK. The fund aims to celebrate Jade’s extraordinary life whilst giving others the opportunity to live out their wishes and dreams. Every donation will help create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
*If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their website to find your local branch.