Death plunge skydiver was 'loved by everybody'
The family of a much-loved skydiver who died at the weekend when her main chute failed to deploy said she was an independent woman who "let nothing get in her way".
Pamela Gower, 49, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, suffered fatal injuries when she fell from 15,000ft and hit a parked car in a cul-de-sac next to the airfield in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, on Saturday afternoon.
She was using a modified sky diving rig, approved by the British Parachute Association (BPA), as she had restricted growth.
Durham Police has said her reserve parachute did deploy, and the circumstances of her death were being investigated jointly by the police, the BPA and the Civil Aviation Authority.
Friends have described popular Miss Gower, who worked for Remploy, as living life to the full.
And her parents Catherine and Len said in a statement: "Pamela was a great girl who was loved by her family so much and was a wonderful daughter and sister.
"Pamela was a very determined and independent woman who let nothing get in her way and we feel this photograph of her next to the Taj Mahal is a perfect example of this.
"Our mam always told Pamela how proud she was of her, as was the rest of our family. We will remember how she always saw the funny side of things, just like her 'da'.
"She often asked her 'da' who was his favourite, and he used to say 'you were the best of a bad bunch!' as there were five children.
"She will be a huge miss as she was loved by everybody.
"It was lovely to hear the warm messages from everyone and we would like to thank people for sending us their kind words."
Locals in Shotton Colliery tried desperately to save her before the emergency services arrived and her family expressed their gratitude.
The family said: "We would also like to thank all those who were involved in trying to help Pamela, from the nurse and the ex-soldier who were first on the scene to the various agencies who tried to save Pamela, including the police, ambulance service, paramedics and the hospital.
"As a family we are devastated at this very difficult time and would appreciate privacy to grieve in peace."
