Parachute death man Lee Clifford 'a much loved father'

The family of a parachutist who died when he landed in a field in Lancashire have said he was a "much loved father and a dear friend".

Father-of-four Lee Clifford, 40, from St Helens, Merseyside, died in Cockerham, near Lancaster, on Saturday.

A family spokesman said Mr Clifford was "a young man that was full of life".

A post-mortem examination found he had died from internal organ trauma. Police are investigating his death.

The family spokesman said Mr Clifford had been "a much loved father of four wonderful children and a dear friend to the many people that knew and worked with him".

"This was a terrible, tragic accident that has devastated his friends and loved ones," he said.

"He was a young man that was full of life and we are deeply saddened to have lost him in such terrible circumstances."

Lancashire Constabulary is working with the British Parachute Association to establish what happened.

An eyewitness said Mr Clifford's chute appeared to become tangled during his jump.