The mother of a British paraglider who died in a devastating accident in South Africa has paid tribute to her 'much-loved son', saying the thought of him flying free brings comfort. Laurence Higham, 55, crashed in the mountains near Porterville in the Western Cape on the last day of an advanced paragliding event.
A fellow paraglider scaled a high mountain ridge to find him, but a rescue helicopter arrived too late. His partner Victoria Turner had been due to join him for a holiday but instead flew out to retrieve his body.
His mother Lesley said: 'Laurence was our light and inspiration. He was a highly experienced paraglider pilot and always very well prepared. His adventures and flying trips were planned meticulously. He wanted to develop and challenge himself. He was a pioneer.'
Laurence spent most of his childhood in Stortford, Hertfordshire, and read business studies at Middlesex University before attending the University of California. He later settled in Muswell Hill, north London, and ran a successful travel company, Varsity Travel Ltd.
Fluent in French, Spanish and Italian, he was also a keen cook and squash player. Manager Natalie Dwyer of Bishop's Stortford Lawn Tennis Club said: 'Laurence was a fantastic club member... He would light up the court with his positive attitude.'
A funeral service was held at St Michael's Church in Broome, Norfolk. An investigation into the circumstances of his death continues in South Africa.
