Colleagues have paid tribute to a paraglider from Bury who died in a flying accident.

Kenny Ebbrell plunged to his death while paragliding at Buckstones Edge in Huddersfield, after he fell around 50ft and crashed on to rocks on Saturday.

The 54-year-old grandfather, from Haweswater Crescent, Unsworth, had launched his paraglider in what were believed to be perfect conditions, but is thought to have got into difficulties.

He landed on rocks at the beauty spot known as Nont Sarahs, and was tended to by paramedics, firefighters and the mountain rescue team.

Mr Ebbrell lived with his wife Magdalena, aged 34, who is devastated. She is being comforted by friends and family, including Mr Ebbrell’s daughter Sarah Field.

The adventurer, who had worked as a deep-sea diver repairing oil pipelines in the North Sea, was a member of a paragliding group the Pennine Soaring Club and would fly paragliders and hang-gliders in his spare time.

Andy McLoughlin, chairman of Pennine Soaring Club, said: “The paragliding community has been deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the death of Kenny Ebbrell.

“Kenny was very well known in the Pennines for his enthusiasm and friendliness on the hill, spreading a smile to all pilots of all levels.

“He was well respected on the hill as he has been flying for more than 27 years with vast experience and knowledge, a very qualified pilot and an active member of Pennine Soaring Club.”

He added: “Little is known at present as to what happened, and all details of the accident have been past to the relevant authorities who will deal with the investigation.

“All paragliding accidents are reported to the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and the BHPA (British Hangliding and Paragliding Association) who will carry out a full investigation.

“This is standard protocol for aviation accidents. Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this very sad time and our thoughts are with them.”

Watch Commander Damien Cameron, who led the technical rescue team, said: “The call came through that the man had fallen 100ft and was 50ft down a ravine.

“He was 50ft down from the car park level and it wasn’t so steep that we needed to do a rope rescue. We were able to get down there and bring him up on a stretcher.

“All the emergency services tried to revive the casualty but he was pronounced dead at the scene.”

West Yorkshire Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and confirmed the coroner had been informed.