A male parachutist has died after coming down in a field in Cockerham, near Lancaster.

A spokeswoman for Northwest Ambulance Service said paramedics were called to a field next to a church in Main Street, at 13:52 GMT.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene and the matter has been handed to police, the spokeswoman said.

An eyewitness said the the man's chute appeared to become tangled after leaving the aircraft.

Emergency chute

Retired paramedic Chris Tomlin, 56, said: "The parachutist left the aircraft. He deployed his chute and it was tangled.

"He tried to cover the procedure to untangle the chute and he was over Cockerham church when he must have realised how close to the ground he was.

"He cut away the main chute and deployed his emergency chute but it looks like he was too close to the ground."

Mr Tomlin said about 300 people live in the village and many would have been enjoying the gala.

A spokeswoman from the Black Knights Parachute Centre in Cockerham said: "A British Parachute Association (BPS) board of inquiry will be investigating the accident and when complete will submit the reports to the coroner.

"The report will include the board's conclusion and, if appropriate, make recommendations."

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said the man was believed to be in his 40s but has not yet been identified as officers are trying to trace his next-of-kin.