Family's tribute to paragliding crash victim (From Milford Mercury)

Family's tribute to paragliding crash victim

7:00am Friday 2nd September 2011 in News

The funeral of a 42-year-old Milford Haven dad who died in a paragliding accident on Sunday afternoon will be held next week.

Steve John, a father-of-two, was seriously injured while paragliding near Newgale beach at around 1.30pm. He was airlifted to hospital but later died of his injuries.

His sister Julie described him as “a fantastic father, husband, son and brother who lived his too short 42 years to the full.”

“He was the youngest clearance diver in the Navy when he joined in 1986. Steve saw active service in the Gulf War in 1991 and was part of a team of divers who dived on HMS Sheffield to free trapped missiles for which he was awarded a bravery medal.

“After leaving the Navy he travelled the world working as a commercial diver. He settled in Thailand where he met his wife Noy before moving back to Pembrokeshire four years ago.

“Steve touched the lives of everyone he met and tributes to him have come in from his many, many friends around the world.

“His wife, daughters, parents and sister are overwhelmed by the amount of people who have expressed their sadness at losing such a good man too soon.”

Bob Penberthy, from the Rhondda Valley, who owns a caravan in Newgale and was on the beach when the accident happened, said: “I saw the chap coming into land, and I thought he must’ve been aiming for the beach as he was flying so low. There was a tremendous noise, it sounded like a car crash.

“Then, as he lay there, the wind caught in his sail again and pulled him off from where he’d fallen. We hoped it would open out, and carry him to safety, but it just folded and that time he fell a long way down.

“It was horrific, it all happened so quickly. I hope I never see anything like it again.”

An RAF rescue helicopter, which was in the area on an exercise, was on the scene minutes after Coastguards received the emergency call on Sunday afternoon.

Broad Haven Coastguard rescue team, Little Haven RNLI inshore lifeboat and the Newgale beach RNLI lifeguards also attended.

Any witnesses are asked to contact Haverfordwest police station on 101.

• Mr John’s funeral service will take place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 3.15pm on Tuesday, September 5.

There will be immediate family flowers only, with donations if desired to the Wales Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes care of Julie Pollard, 71 Mount Pleasant Way, Milford Haven. Contact Tom Newing and Sons on 01646 693180 with any enquiries.