Skydiver 'passionate' about sport

Stephen Hilder had made more than 200 successful jumps

Skydiver Stephen Hilder, who plunged 13,000ft to his death during the national college championships, died doing what he loved best.

Though he was only 20, he was an experienced parachutist and freefall skydiver who had completed more than 200 successful jumps since becoming "hooked" from the very first one, his father Paul said.

Mr Hilder was born in Hereford, where he attended a local school before leaving the area to study for his A-levels with the Army at Welbeck College in Nottinghamshire.

Throughout his time with the Army, he indulged his love of theatre and music, and was known as a talented percussionist and amateur actor.

After taking up skydiving at Bristol University, Mr Hilder developed what his family describe as a "total passion" for the sport.

Military man

When he became an officer cadet and undergraduate at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, near Swindon, Wiltshire, he played a major role in revitalising the college's skydiving club.

At the time of his death in July 2003, he was studying for a degree in management and logistics.

He was also due to attend the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, for his officer training the next year.

He could make you laugh but he could make you think. He could change your life just by being in it Naval lieutenant Jason Saunders

Ruth Woodhouse, 24, of Stafford, with whom he began a relationship in January 2003, described Mr Hilder as totally committed to skydiving.

"He was so passionate about his skydiving he would get withdrawal symptoms if he hadn't jumped for a few days," she said.

Mr Hilder's father, Paul, commended his son for having achieved so much in his life.

"He packed so much into 20 short years - academic success, accomplishment in music and drama, service in the community," he said.

Describing him as an "ordinary, infuriating lad", his mother Mary said Mr Hilder "loved life and lived it to the full".

His passion for life was recalled with fondness at a memorial service in St Andrew's church, Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, by naval officer lieutenant Jason Saunders.

"He could speak about Shakespeare until 3am and then tell you five things that could accompany cous-cous.

"He could make you laugh but he could make you think. He could change your life just by being in it," he said.

Stephen Hilder fell 13,000ft to his death when his parachute failed

On 4 July 2003, Mr Hilder had joined his friends David Mason and Adrian Blair to compete in the British Collegiate Parachute Association national championships.

The trio, who studied together at the Defence Academy and called themselves Black Rain, had completed 50 jumps together.

Their formation jump at Hibaldstow Airfield in Lincolnshire was said to be "their best yet" and a video later released of their freefall shows them all grinning.

Mr Hilder was in his last jump in the competition with his two team mates when he fell to his death.

His father Paul added: "They say it was definitely their best jump ever and it left them in the lead, seven points ahead of the next team."

He also described it as a "fitting tribute to his professionalism, team work and passion for the sport he loved."

The investigation into Mr Hilder's death revealed that cords on both his main and reserve parachutes had been severed before the jump.

Experts said he would have hit the ground at 120mph around 15 seconds after the trio separated at 4,000ft.