Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By NEIL POORAN Published: 20:49 BST, 29 September 2025 | Updated: 21:11 BST, 29 September 2025
A SHERIFF has expressed ‘concerns’ over the ground support in place during a paramotor crash that led to a camera operator’s death.At a preliminary hearing for a fatal accident inquiry (FAI), sheriff Neil Wilson said he wanted to hear further evidence on the issue.Dan Burton, 54, died after his aircraft collided with one flown by his colleague, climate activist Sacha Dench, known as the ‘human swan’, in Sutherland in 2021.Ms Dench, who was seriously injured, was attempting a 3,000-mile, round Britain by paramotor challenge to highlight climate change ahead of Cop26 in Glasgow.During an online preliminary hearing yesterday, fiscal depute Jemma Eadie said she wanted to lead evidence from Amber Eames, who had been involved in a previous project featuring Ms Dench.She said Ms Eames had opinions ‘on the fact that pilots were holding camera equipment whilst in the air’ during the fatal 2021 crash near Lochinver.Sheriff Wilson said: ‘I have concerns thus far regarding the extent of ground support for this trip that Sacha Dench and Dan Burton were engaged on.’ Sacha Dench with her paramotor in Edinburgh ahead of a talk at the Edinburgh Science Festival in 2021 Paraglider pilot Dan Burton, who died in the crash in Sutherland in 2021 Ms Dench and Mr Burton meet actress Joanna Lumley, who was taking part in a documentary on their round Britain expeditionHe said he would like to hear from Ms Eames on the support systems used in Ms Dench’s expeditions, but said the FAI would not be interested in any reported incidents relating to other trips.The evidence from Ms Eames was opposed by lawyers representing Ms Dench and Conservation Without Borders, the charity that she founded.Simon Richards, representing Ms Dench, said Ms Eames was attempting to start litigation against his client and her evidence could affect Ms Dench’s career as a ‘celebrity conservationist’ if it strayed from the September 2021 incident. This prompted the sheriff to say that the hearing was ‘rather more important than Sacha Dench’s social media profile’.Sheriff Wilson said the FAI may hear from both Ms Eames and another witness, who had organised the earlier expedition.A further preliminary hearing for the FAI is due to take place on October 28.
