An inquest heard that Claire Lomas, a prominent fundraiser and disability campaigner, died following injuries sustained in a microlight aircraft crash in Jordan. The incident occurred on 15 July 2024 while Lomas was participating in a filming project for an Apple-commissioned documentary series called Adventure. She was taken to a local medical facility where her condition initially stabilized, but she experienced a sudden deterioration and died on 22 August. The provisional cause of death was determined to be multiple severe traumatic injuries.
Lomas had been invited to participate in the microlighting project by Atlantic Productions, the company producing the series. According to testimony, she was described as enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity. Lomas held a pilot’s license and had approximately 150 hours of flying experience. Prior to the filming, the production company consulted with Ben Ashman, a microlight expert, regarding accommodations for Lomas, who used a wheelchair due to paralysis from a 2007 horse riding accident. Tests were conducted with the camera equipment mounted to the aircraft.
The flight took place early in the morning after initial plans were postponed due to wind conditions. Ashman, who was also present at the location, reported that Lomas descended at an angle away from the runway centerline and appeared to attempt to abort the landing. The inquest heard that weather conditions were suitable, there were no mechanical issues with the aircraft, and the camera equipment did not affect flight performance.
Lomas gained international recognition after becoming the first person in the United Kingdom to use a motorized exoskeleton suit, which enabled her to complete the 2012 London Marathon over 17 days. She was appointed MBE in 2017 in recognition of her fundraising efforts and had raised approximately £925,000 for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation before her death. Her family and friends subsequently raised the total past £1 million in her memory. The inquest continues.
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