One of the nation’s most popular skydiving cameramen was a “fun, kind, generous, true professional”, an inquest into his tragic death heard.
Martin Skrbel, 39, was found dead in his car near his home in Hibaldstow, which he shared with other skydivers, on June 15 2022. A coroner concluded that he had taken his own life.
The inquest at Grimsby Town Hall last week heard tributes to Martin’s outstanding professionalism, talent and dedication to the sport. The tandem jump master took scores of people on jumps at Skydive Hibaldstow, which is regarded as one of the top ten jump sites in the UK.
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In the week following his death, he was awarded a prize in a prestigious photographic competition. His stunning photos regularly appeared in the British Skydiving Magazine. His mother, Irena, said Czech-born Martin was an “independent, gifted, goal-oriented student who dreamed of becoming a pilot, or a professional driver or a cosmonaut.”
He moved to the UK in June 2021, to pursue his passion for skydiving, the inquest heard. Previously, the married father-of-two had worked in Dublin as a IT security consultant.
For months he lived in a campervan at the northern Lincolnshire jump site, near Scunthorpe, before moving into shared accommodation in Hibaldstow. His camera work while jumping gained international recognition. He filmed many of the northern Lincolnshire thrill-seekers who jumped at the popular skydiving centre. Many of them were captured jumping for various charities.
Nathy Odinson, a fellow skydiver who died tragically during a base jump in Thailand earlier this year, wrote a statement for the inquest before his death. He described how highly regarded his housemate was. He said: “He [Martin] would take excellent photographs of the team. He went on to be a tandem instructor taking people on the skydiving experience. He always went the extra mile to help others, He was a fun, kind and great person to work with.” Martin was a “true professional, good fun and an excellent photographer”.
The inquest heard that Martin had been in debt. Brian Cumming, a close friend from the skydiving community, stated that Martin did not live a lavish lifestyle, but had borrowed extensively, though he paid back money to his friends. Brian explained how Martin was involved in organising jump events in the Czech Republic and arranged accommodation for scores of skydivers when they travelled to his home country.
He said: “Martin was a voracious learner. He was kind and had a generous personality. I considered him to be my right-hand man.”
In a statement to the inquest, Brian spoke about Martin’s financial problems. He said: “If he had told friends about his difficulties, there would have been little blame but there would have been a lot of help.” A GoFundMe Appeal was set up in Martin’s memory, which raised £17,000.
PC Luke Harrison, of Humberside Police, said that a missing person report was filed on June 14 2022, after Martin’s wife contacted friends to say her husband had not been in touch for a couple of days. Housemates recalled Martin had tested positive for Covid and had stayed isolated in his room for a while. They searched the home and contacted other friends, but he was not found.
The police officer later discovered Martin’s body in his car. Recording a conclusion of suicide, Senior Lincolnshire Coroner Paul Smith said Martin was a “dedicated and talented photographer in his chosen field.” He highlighted how friends described him as “poor with money.”
The coroner said he was satisfied that Martin had committed a deliberate act to take his own life and had intended the inevitable outcome. He thanked the police officer who found him and passed his sincere condolences to his close friend Brian. The coroner added: “He was a very talented and very well-liked [person]. I hope you will remember him for that.”
‘Rising star’
Following the inquest, friends and colleagues paid tribute to Martin. James Swallow, the owner of Skydive Hibaldstow, said: “Martin was an amazing guy, a great teammate and a talented skydiver. We are all devastated he is gone. We send our sincere condolences to his family.”
In a statement, Brian Cumming said: “Martin was a rising star in the skydiving world. He was heading to the top. The photos he took described our sport in a way I haven’t seen before. So many people have his photos on their wall.
“He was always so proud when one of his photos was chosen to be on the front cover of a magazine. In the year before he died he had four covers. This is almost unheard of. He was a thoughtful friend to so many and he leaves a big hole in our world.
“If you are reading this with the chemicals in your brain mixed up currently, you can’t stop this life and start again, it’s just gone. The impact of you going will be felt by so many more people and so much harder than you realise. Please send that awkward text message or have that awkward call and chat to someone.
“If you are reading this and feeling pretty fine right now, please reach out to a few people today and check in with them. You don’t know what’s going on under the surface but connection does help. People with their brain chemicals all mixed up probably won’t reach out. Connection helps.”
Another friend, Neal Fitzpatrick, penned a poem in Martin’s memory. It reads:
Before the sun ever shone a ray,
Our friend Martin would already be up for the day.
Getting his cameras and kit prepped as quick as he could,
To be on the first lift, you are certain he would.
Far in the distance the sun starts to rise,
For Martin it was time to be in the skies.
Tandems, camera, big way, no matter what,
To be sure to be sure he would get the right shot.
Getting the perfect shot is all he wanted,
Perfection no less you could definitely count on it.
Jumps from the top or a little on the low,
A favourite phrase of his “Let’s get the road on the show”.
From Wild Geese to Hib, no time to rest,
He brought us joy, he did his best.
His passion for freefall was second to none,
We are truly saddened for now he is gone.
For what he loved best, the jumps and his friends,
It is sad now that his journey has come to an end.
So for this poem I have poured my heart in,
Blue Skies my friend, fly free Martin.
How to get help
For urgent help and support, call the Samaritans, 24 hours a day, on 116 123, free from any phone. Further details are available on the Samaritans website. Alternatively, call the North Lincolnshire Single Point of Access advice line for routine and urgent referrals and enquiries on 08000150211, or text ‘Shout’ to 85258.
North Lincolnshire Council has a comprehensive list of mental health and suicide prevention resources on its website, including information on how to access services for children, young people and adults.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
