Coroner rules Claire Lomas died in an accident after three-day inquest

The hearing was told this week that Claire was seriously injured in July 2024 while attempting a landing in a microlight aircraft during the filming of a documentary for Apple TV in the Middle East.

Claire, who was 44 and from Eye Kettleby, sadly passed away just over five weeks later with a post mortem finding that the cause of death was ‘multiple severe traumatic injuries’.

Louise Pinder, senior coroner for Rutland and North Leicestershire, gave her verdict on why Claire died after listening to witness statements from the TV production company, an expert microlight pilot and health and safety professionals.

Claire, a mother of two young girls, made headlines around the world with the way she raised nearly £1M from a series of gruelling fundraising challenges despite being paralysed from the chest down following a horse riding accident.

Her husband, Dan Spincer, instructed solicitors at Hugh James following the crash and to represent the family at the Inquest.

Katherine Allen, partner in the specialist claims team at Hugh James represented, said: “The conclusion of the inquest today marks the end of a very difficult and emotional process for Dan and the wider family following Claire’s untimely death.

"Whilst the inquest has now concluded, the family continue to live with the devastating consequences of their loss.

"Claire was deeply loved, and her death has left a profound and enduring void in their lives.

"They will never be the same again following what happened to her.

"However, they remain focused on remembering Claire and the important place she will always hold in their lives."

Ms Allen appealed for privacy for the Lomas family and she added: “Claire was funny, hugely determined and always intent on living the best life she could.

"After her injury, she chose to enjoy life and laugh, even through the hardest moments.

"She was deeply committed to helping others, both through her fundraising and by supporting people facing life-changing injuries.

"She was independent, courageous and always ready to take on new challenges.

"Above all, she was a much-loved wife and mother and was adored by those who were fortunate to be her friends.

"Since Claire’s death, her family and friends have continued Claire’s fund raising for spinal injuries research to ensure that donations in her name have reached £1 million.

"They are already planning how to raise the next million.

“Claire’s husband, Dan, has expressed that the loss for him, their girls and everyone close to Claire is so painful that he cannot find the words to describe it.”

Miss Pinder, while delivering her verdict, said there were ‘no mechanical issues’ with the microlight and no evidence to suggest the weight of the TV camera affected the handling of the aircraft.

She said of Claire: “She encountered no difficulties on take-off or during the flight prior to the last few seconds of the descent.

"She appeared to have had a wonderful flight, was in a good frame of mind and was quite relaxed as she returned to the landing site.”

Miss Pinder added: “I have heard no evidence establishing a causal link between any deficiencies in the risk assessments and Claire’s death.”