Claire Lomas: Fundraising campaigner dies in microlight crash during Apple series filming

Claire Lomas, a celebrated campaigner who raised nearly £1m for charity, died in a microlight crash while filming an Apple-commissioned series in Jordan. The inquest heard she was excited about the project despite concerns from producers and her instructor about her stress levels before the flight.

## The incident and inquest findings

Lomas was flying an adapted microlight in Jordan on 15 July 2024 when it veered off a road after landing and crashed into a large rock. She was taken to the King Hussein Medical Centre, where her condition initially improved before she suffered a sudden deterioration and died on 22 August.

Louise Pinder, senior coroner for Rutland and North Leicestershire, stated that Lomas's provisional cause of death was multiple severe traumatic injuries. The inquest, held at County Hall, heard that Lomas was in Jordan to take part in an Apple-commissioned series called *Adventure*, which involved filming athletes in spectacular locations.

## Lomas's enthusiasm and concerns

Lina Zilinskaite, senior producer for Atlantic Productions, the company commissioned to film the series, said Lomas was "really delighted" about the opportunity. Zilinskaite described Lomas as "very enthusiastic and keen" about the project, noting that the company was reassured by her previous media experience.

Lomas had obtained a microlight licence a few years before and had limited experience of about 150 hours. Ben Ashman, from Flylight Airsports, informed the company that Lomas was a "talented pilot" but needed assistance getting in and out of the microlight. The inquest heard that a camera was mounted to the microlight, and tests were carried out with Ashman and Lomas flying the microlight with the camera. Zilinskaite said Lomas was "very happy" and had "no concerns."

However, Ashman expressed concern about a Facebook post from Lomas the night before the flight, in which she mentioned putting her "brave pants" on. Despite this, Lomas was "enthusiastic" and "absolutely sure she wanted to fly."

## Lomas's legacy and achievements

Lomas was told she would never walk again after a 2007 horse riding accident left her paralysed. However, a suit with mechanical legs, called ReWalk, helped her to take her first steps again at a rehabilitation centre in East Yorkshire five years later. The suit used braces to support the legs, motors to help rotate joints, weight and motion sensors, and a battery pack.

Lomas was the first person in the UK to use the ReWalk suit and wore it to complete the 2012 London Marathon in 17 days. She used it again to complete the Great North Run in 2016, earning the nickname "bionic woman" for her achievements. Lomas was also selected to light the Paralympic flame in 2012 and was appointed MBE in 2017 for her fundraising efforts.

Before her death, Lomas raised £925,000 for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation, a charity committed to funding research into curing spinal cord injury. Her husband Dan Spincer and best friend Stuart Hall took the total she raised for charity past £1m and vowed to continue raising money in her memory.

The inquest continues, with Lomas's family members not attending due to the pain of being close to the anniversary of her death.