AN EXPERIENCED parachutist died after his parachute failed to open during a 13,000ft jump on Sunday.

Esmond Liggitt, 44, of Newnham Road, near Hook, undertook the free-fall jump at Netheravon airbase, near Salisbury. The father of six was an experienced parachutist with more than 1,000 jumps under his belt.

His wife, Jane, was at the family home this week with their two sons and relatives. Mr Liggitt (pictured) also had four other children with his first wife Marian.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Liggitt's death, but have said it is not being treated as suspicious.

The British Parachute Association has also launched an inquiry into the incident, and will hand the results to the coroner.

Tony Butler, the BPAs technical officer, said: "We're speaking to people involved, witnesses and people who were on the airfield at the time.

"We give these inquiries top priority and we can usually get them done within a few weeks."

Graham Wren, the managing director of Stent Foundations, in Hook, has been a friend of Mr Liggitt since Mr Liggitt joined the company 26 years ago.

Mr Wren has just returned from a motorcycling holiday in the South of France with Mr Liggitt, and said he was a person who made the most of life.

"I have known Esmond for 26 years and he was a person who lived life to the full," said Mr Wren.

"He was a very keen parachutist and also a pilot. He used to fly the Red Devils parachute team around the countryside and they all knew and liked him. He was a great guy."

Mr Wren said the death had been a massive shock to the family and everyone in the company.

"I have spoken to his wife and she is numb," he said. "When something like this happens, you just focus on the ordinary and I think that's what she's doing. "He was a genuinely popular guy. He did not have, to my knowledge, any enemies. I don't know how he fitted both work and a social life into 24 hours. He will be sadly missed."

Mr Liggitt was the southern area manager for Stent Foundations after training as an engineer and joining the company in 1977.

An inquest was due to be opened and adjourned this week at Salisbury Coroner's Court.