Emiliano Sala cause of death revealed in coroner's court - new crash information released
EMILIANO Sala died from "head and trunk injuries", a post-mortem examination found, an opening inquest at Dorset Coroner's Court heard.
Emiliano Sala's body collected by ambulance in Dorset
The 28-year-old footballer's body was recovered from the English Channel last week after a new search was launched following a fundraising campaign. The inquest opened at Bournemouth Coroner's Court today at 1.30pm. The Argentine footballer was travelling from Nantes to Cardiff in a light aircraft being flown by pilot Dave Ibbotson, whose body has yet to be found, when it went missing on January 21.
The footballer, who had just signed for Cardiff City and was being flown across the channel to join up with his new teammates, did not drown in the crash that happened as the Piper PA-46 Malibu plane brough him from Nantes in France on January 21, the hearing revealed.
The plane sank in 220ft of water off Guernsey in the English Channel and Sala's body was fond on February 6.
Today an inquest into the Argentinian's death was opened in Bournemouth, Dorset, as a fundraising appeal for the search of missing pilot David Ibbotson rose to £150,000.
Ian Parry, a senior coroner's officer for Dorset, said the body was brought to Portland, Dorset, on February 7 when Sala was officially pronounced deceased.
The body was identified using finger print evidence analysed by an expert Christopher Bradbury.
Home Office Forensic Pathologist Basil Purdue carried out a post mortem examination which confirmed the cause of death as 'head and trunk injuries'.
Mr Parry said: "The Malibu aircraft left the airport in France for Cardiff with two people on board, the pilot David Ibbotson and passenger Emiliano Sala.
"Air traffic control lost contact during the flight and an extensive search operation was carried out.
"The plane was located on the seabed in international waters.
"The body later identified as Mr Sala was found and recovered.
"David Ibbotson has not been found and the Air Accident Investigation Board and Civil Aviation authorities are continuing with their enquiries.
"Mr Sala was identified on the 7th February by means of finger print evidence analyses by finger print expert Christopher Bradbury.
"A post mortem was carried out after the body was taken to Holly Tree Lodge mortuary.
"Home office pathologist Mr Purdue gave the cause of death as 1a head and trunk injuries."
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Brendan Allen, the acting senior coroner for Dorset, then adjourned the brief hearing.
A pre-inquest review will take place in Bournemouth on November 6 once an investigation by the AAIB and CAA investigation has concluded.
The plane was being flown by pilot David Ibbotson, whose body has yet to be found.
The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control north of Guernsey.
Emiliano Sala: Pilot’s daughter opens up about loss of father
Mr Ibbotson's family have urged for the search to continue with more than £140,000 raised for the hunt to restart.
The pilot's supporters have set up a GoFundMe page asking for £300,000 with backers such as Gary Lineker and French footballer Kylian Mbappe donating to help in the search for Mr Ibbotson, 59, from Lincolnshire.
His daughter Danielle told ITV’s Good Morning Britain today: "He was amazing, I was so lucky to have him as a dad.
"I know it might take a long time but I don't want this to just be it."