Inquest hears how girl who died in hang glider crash was an 'excellent glider'

Lois, who was 16 and from Great Sankey near Warrington in Cheshire, died when her hang glider crashed in perfect flying conditions in October 2011.

Her parents were not in court today, but the jury heard a written statement from her father, Mark Preston, describing how she had a passion for sport from an early age and was drawn to gliding during family holidays.

The inquest jury has heard she was an excellent glider who didn't need telling anything twice. She'd been a regular at the training school in Darley Dale for two years.

The jury heard she sustained a severe skull fracture when she landed head-first onto the ground in the accident, though full details of exactly what happened in the run-up are yet to be heard. Lois was airlifted to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham where she died.

Her instructor on the day revealed in court today that Lois was mature and absolutely ready to take a solo flight on the day she died, exceptionally good and very calm.

The inquest continues.