Lawyers consider whether paramotors from fatal crash needed in court for inquiry

A fatal accident inquiry into the death of Dan Burton in the Highlands in September 2021 is due to begin in May.

By contributor Lucinda Cameron, PA Scotland

Published Mar 19

Exterior view of Tain Sheriff Court — The inquiry will take place at Tain Sheriff Court in the Highlands (Alamy/John Peter Photography/PA)

Lawyers are considering whether paramotor equipment from a fatal mid-air collision needs to be shown in court at an inquiry into the death of a camera operator.

Dan Burton, 54, died after his paramotor was involved in a collision with one flown by his colleague Sacha Dench, known as the “human swan”, in the Highlands in September 2021.

At a preliminary hearing held virtually by Tain Sheriff Court on Wednesday, lawyers addressed the question of whether the paramotors and wings need to be brought to court for the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) which is due to take place on May 8 and 9.

Fiscal depute Jemma Eadie told the court the parts are currently held between three police stations, with the majority now stored in Inverness.

Sacha Dench on a beach, holding her parachute, which is inflated in the air — Sacha Dench was attempting a 3,000-mile round Britain by paramotor challenge at the time of the incident (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Peter Littlefair, representing Mr Burton’s widow Caroline, said it is not yet clear whether they will require the items in court for the FAI as it may depend upon an expert they have instructed.

He said: “We do have an expert who is instructed but it is at a very early stage – our position in relation to the flight data has not allowed a report to be completed.