Bungee jump father breaks down at inquest

The father of a man who plunged to his death at a charity bungee jump event broke down in tears today at the opening of an inquest into the tragedy.

South Wales photographic technician Christopher Thomas, 22, of Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff, died after hitting the ground at the charity event in Swansea.

His grieving father, retired policeman David Thomas, of Fangarreg, Meinciau, Pontyates, Llanelli, sobbed as he gave evidence at the inquest in Swansea today.

He spoke only to confirm the identity, name, age and address of his son.

Coroner Richard Morgan then adjourned the inquest until a later date after a full inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death is concluded.

The student, who weighed around 18 stone, leaped from a 180ft platform in the car park of the Old Barn Inn, in Swansea, as he was filmed by his family from the ground.

But it went tragically wrong when he bounced after the initial jump, then hit the gravel below after apparently slipping from his harness at 60ft on his second descent.

Hundreds of horrified onlookers screamed as they watched the tragedy unfold at the Bank Holiday charity event on Monday afternoon.

He was taken in a critical condition to the neurosurgery department at nearby Morriston Hospital for which the event was raising money. He later died.

Police and health and safety experts are today continuing to scrutinise video footage of the jump, taken by the family, in an attempt to piece together exactly what happened.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has since called for a nationwide review of bungee jump safety to ensure lessons are learned from the tragedy.