Inquest opens into death of tragic skydiver Pamela Gower

Pamela Ann Gower, who lived in Parliament Street, Hebburn, died when she landed in a housing estate near Shotton Airfield on Saturday, September 10.

It had been thought her parachute failed to open, but it later emerged that her reserve parachute did deploy.

She was pronounced dead at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Miss Gower's parents Catherine and Len said following her death that she would be "hugely missed".

Miss Gower, who had dwarfism, was an employment adviser at Remploy's Newcastle branch and supported disabled people into work.

At County Durham Coroner's Court in Crook today, coroner Andrew Tweddle formally opened the inquest into Miss Gower's death.

Coroner's officer Susan Rooney told the hearing that a post mortem examination report is still being prepared.

Mr Tweddle said: "I will open the inquest this morning and adjourn it for a review on January 23 next year.

"I would like to think the case will have been listed, if not heard, by that time."