Inquest opened into death of helicopter pilot

The inquest into the death of a helicopter pilot who crashed in a field near the Mountain Road on Saturday was opened today.

48-year-old Matthew Chapman, who was from Louth in Lincolnshire, had dropped off two passengers at the Creg Ny Baa on June 6th.

Soon afterwards his Bell Jetranger Aircraft came down in the Baldwin Valley.

At Douglas Courthouse today the inquest was told toxicology reports are being compiled - a process which could take six weeks - until then the the post-mortem cannot be completed.

Coroner of Inquests John Needham expressed his condolences to his family and released Mr Chapman's body so that funeral arrangements can take place.

The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed.