A SKYDIVER who was killed during a competition in North Lincolnshire died as a result of a tragic accident, an inquest heard.

But his widow told the inquest she would still recommend the sport which she said gave her husband so much enjoyment.

Father of three, Thomas Peter Scanlon, 44, of Wickford, Essex, died as a result of an accident at Hibaldstow Airfield, North Lincolnshire, on Saturday, August 22.

His widow Fiona told the inquest at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe, her husband had been parachuting for 21 years and had participated in around 2,000 jumps.

Mrs Scanlon said: "Although I have lost my husband I would still recommend skydiving.

"It is a fantastic sport. It brought him so many friends and enjoyment over the years."

The inquest yesterday heard how Mr Scanlon was carrying out a dive with 60 others when he got into difficulties.

Derek Schofield, a drop zone controller at Hibaldstow Airfield at the time of the incident, told the inquest: "On opening, all canopies were functional."

He added: "Towards the end of the formation, some of the parachutes were coming back in and about 10 to 15 had landed but I noticed he had done a turn and he had turned about three or four times, then touched down."

Mr Schofield said it was about 30 seconds after the canopies opened that Mr Scanlon went into a left spiral which he could not correct.

Pathologist Dr John Harvey carried out a post-mortem examination and found the death was not due to natural causes.

He found he was a man in good health and there was no alcohol in his system.

He said: "The cause of death was chest injuries."

Tony Butler, from the British Parachute Association, was called in alongside the police to investigate the incident.

He told the inquest he had been investigating serious accidents and fatalities for 25 years.

He said Mr Scanlon had carried out three jumps prior to the incident.

He explained that Mr Scanlon went up in a plane at 4.15pm on Saturday, August 22 to carry out a 60 wave freefall formation, which was being filmed by four people.

The jump took place from 15,000 ft.

He said: "At about 3,000 feet all parachutes had deployed normally. Mr Scanlon had deployed at around 2,000 feet within the legal limit.

"But at about 8,100 to 10,000 feet Tom's parachute was spiralling to the left until impact."

A demonstration was given to the family by Mr Hollow explaining how a parachute was packed. The family was told: "We believe Tom had packed the parachute himself."

The inquest heard how Mr Scanlon steered away from other parachutes using his rear toggles which had got trapped causing the spiral.

Mrs Scanlon asked Mr Hollow: "Is that how he died? He's tried to avoid other people?"

Mr Hollow replied: "Yes".

North Lincolnshire Coroner Paul Kelly recorded a verdict of accidental death. He added: "All that is left for me to do is record a verdict of accidental death."