A RETIRED teacher at Cockermouth School and 'very experienced' paragliding instructor died after losing control of his paraglider and crashing near Sharp Edge close to the summit of Blencathra.

Malcolm Charles Grout, 63, died on February 25, 2024, while undertaking a cross-country paragliding expedition from Carrock Fell to Threlkeld, an inquest into his death heard.

Mr Grout, who lived in Great Broughton, had met up with other pilots that morning as arranged on Carrock Fell.

A statement submitted to Cockermouth Coroner’s Court on Wednesday by fellow pilot Thomas Blakely said that Mr Grout, known as 'Malc' to family and friends, asked to be picked up as he wished to undertake a cross-country flight back to where he had parked his car.

After meeting on Carrock Fell, he said that Mr Grout took off at around 1pm, but soon after communicated that he had landed, and then took off again around 1.15pm.

He said that  when he took off, Mr Grout had been able to ascend using thermals and was 'very high', at the cloud-base, 'possibly around 1,300 metres altitude'.

He said that no other paragliders saw him after that, and the last radio communication from him that said that the air conditions were 'working well' as he crossed Bannerdale Crags.

Mr Blakeley said: "From a personal perspective, I am indebted to Malc for his kindness, enthusiasm and knowledge.

"He had time to offer advice and encouragement and experience to any pilot he met, and he will be sorely missed by the Lakes flying community and further afield."

A group of walkers on Blencathra who witnessed Mr Grout's final moments submitted statements, that just before 2pm, they stopped to watch a paraglider who was flying 'very close' to the ridge.

One took a photograph, and then Mr Grout was seen to rise up 'very quickly' around 30 to 40 feet, losing control of his craft, and falling, making an impact onto Foule Crag at 1.58pm.

Because of the steepness of the terrain, the impact itself was not witnessed.

A walker called police, who asked Keswick Mountain Rescue Team to attend.

An air ambulance was also deployed, but despite the efforts of all involved, Mr Grout was confirmed deceased at 3.35pm.

A British Hang gliding and Paragliding Association investigation concluded that Mr Grout’s equipment was airworthy, and that he was a highly experienced and accredited paraglider, having first gained a license in 1994, racking up several thousands of meticulously logged flying hours.

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It said that weather conditions were good and sunny, with light winds.

It said that Mr Grout had been flying from ridge to ridge, and at Foul Crag, was waiting for a thermal to lift him over the ridge and down to Threlkeld when he experienced turbulence, and lost control.

A statement by a friend and fellow paraglider, Gordon Oliver, said that Mr Grout was a 'hugely advanced' pilot, but would often fly into turbulent places where 'others might think twice'.

He said that shared 'many happy hours' flying together, and that Mr Grout had used his skills to help people with disabilities experience the sport.

Area coroner for Cumbria Kirsty Gomersal accepted the cause of death offered as multiple injuries, and concluded that Mr Grout's death was accidental.