Paralysed campaigner, 44, who ran marathon in ‘bionic’ suit died in microlight crash while filming Apple TV series

NewsUK News A PARALYSED campaigner who became the first person to complete a marathon in a “bionic” suit died in a microlight crash while filming for an Apple TV series, an inquest heard. Claire Lomas, who was paralysed from the chest down after a horse-riding accident, “veered off the runway” and hit a large rock while landing the aircraft on July 15, 2024. Claire Lomas died in a microlight crash Credit: Darren Fletcher – The Sun She was the first person to complete a marathon in a “bionic” suit Credit: PA The 44-year-old suffered multiple severe traumatic injuries during the horror in Jordan and died more than five weeks later in hospital. An inquest heard Claire was in the Middle East filming for a series for Apple’s VR headset. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Lina Zilinskaite, who is a senior producer for Atlantic Productions, said: “Each episode follows a different athlete performing some sort of challenge or feat. “(It was) always controlled risk. Individuals were doing this as a big hobby or profession in some instances. We are not plucking people off the street to do it.” Lina said Claire was “delighted” to be selected and was “very enthusiastic and keen and excited about the opportunity”. Claire got a licence to fly a microlight, which is a small aircraft, a few years before the tragedy, the court heard. Claire had been filming for an Apple series Credit: Rex The mum was paralysed in a horse riding accident Credit: PA The production company reportedly knew she needed help getting in and out of the specially adapted aircraft because she was paraplegic. Senior coroner for Rutland and North Leicestershire, Louise Pinder, said the wind strength was “light and from the left which is considered normal” on the day of the crash. Most read in The Sun She said it would have been preferable to have a smaller camera on the microlight, but it did not exceed the weight limit for take-off. The inquest heard the flight was cancelled the day before because of strong winds. On the day of the horror, Claire flew in the air for about 15 minutes before attempting to land. But she tragically “hit a large rock” and was taken by a standby ambulance to hospital in a critical condition. Lina said: “She veered off the runway then I just heard this noise.” Mum Claire was said to be “excited” to come home with her family after spending weeks in hospital but was struck down with an infection and deteriorated quickly, the inquest heard. She tragically passed away on August 22, 2024. Former chiropractor Claire broke her neck, back and ribs and punctured a lung when her horse threw her off as she took part in the Osberton Horse Trials in Nottinghamshire. She completed the London Marathon in 17 days in 2012 using a “bionic” suit – raising thousands of pounds for the Spinal Research charity. Claire was also a motivational speaker, a qualified pilot and was made an MBE in 2017. The inquest continues.