Loved ones to remember tragic parachutist Lee Clifford (From St Helens Star)

Loved ones to remember tragic parachutist Lee Clifford

5:36pm Wednesday 18th July 2012 in News By Andrew Kilmurray, News editor

LOVED ones will gather today on Thursday for the funeral of a devoted father who died in a parachute tragedy.

Lee Clifford, from New Bold, was killed when he came down at Cockerham, near Lancaster, on Saturday, July 7 on what was his first solo parachute jump.

Witnesses suggested his chute became tangled as he headed towards the ground and his death is being treated as a tragic accident, as reported in last week’s Star.

Lee, an electrician, has been described as a young man who was full of life and a father who adored his children.

Devastated relatives and friends will attend a funeral service at St Nicholas Church, Sutton, at 1.30pm on Thursday.

In a statement his family said: "Lee was 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 was a young man that was full of life and we are deeply saddened to have lost him in such terrible circumstances."

Lee’s family has asked that donations are made to Willowbrook Hospice, a charity that he was passionate about supporting.

It is believed he had recently signed up with the Black Knights Parachute Centre and planned to complete eight levels of an Accelerated Free Fall course to become a qualified solo skydiver.