Pip Nix skydives in memory of dad who died in plane crash

Pip Nix's dad, Naburn businessman Gerry Davitt, 42, and her grandad, Larry Davitt, 67, died after their aircraft  burst into flames and crashed into a field near the A63 north east of Hemingbrough, near Selby, in 1999.

She admits she'd been a “bad flyer” ever since the tragedy but bravely jumped 17,000ft out of a plane to raise money for charity.

"It was incredible - it dawned on me when I was dangling my legs out of the plane, that I hadn't really prepared myself for this part,” the 35-year-old said. "The free fall was amazing.

Pip after leaping out a plane at 17,000ft (Image: SWNS)

"I think my dad and grandad would be so overwhelmingly proud - I know for a fact I felt my dad was on the plane because of all the bumps and wobbles.

"It was like he was giving the plane a nudge just for a laugh.

Gerry Davitt who died in the crash (Image: Supplied)

"I think they would be really proud though and when we were descending, I called out the names of my loved ones that I had lost."

Larry and Gerry were on the aircraft alongside Paul Blackburn and Kenneth Moore when the plane crashed.

• How The Press reported the accident at the time

Pip, who lives in Hambleton, says her dad was flying the plane when “several things came together” that meant there was nothing he could do to prevent the crash.

She was still in primary school when it happened and says she remembers being told by her mum and headteacher that they had been killed.

"I had just turned ten and it's really interesting because I have really clear vivid memories of some parts of it but don't remember other parts of it,” Pip said. "I had been at a sleepover at a friend's house the night before, so I didn't get to even see my dad that morning.

Pip as a child with her dad on holiday (Image: Supplied)

"I had gone to primary school and the classroom doors were always open - but they had been shut which was really odd.

"The head teacher came to the door and took me into the office and my mum was there and I could see that she was obviously really upset.

"They explained that daddy and grandad were in the plane and that there had been a really bad accident - I got upset and asked if they were okay and she said no.

Pip with grandad Larry Davitt as a child (Image: SWNS)

"My best friend was leaning against the wall and she remembers hearing me scream really loudly, but I don't remember that - which is really weird."

Pip has also paid tribute to her dad and grandad and says she has “so many memories” with them both, which she “remembers fondly”.

• Read Pip's interview with The Press ahead of her skydive: ‘I’m terrified’: Woman’s daring tribute for loved ones who died in plane crash

The married-mum-of-one said: "I have so many memories - my grandad was Irish and they had these beautiful thick accents which I remember fondly.

"He was a taxi driver - so we always called him grandad taxi.

"There is so many things I remember about my dad, he loved nothing more than to wind people up and he was a real practical joker.

Pip during the skydive in memory of her loved ones (Image: SWNS)

"He was a real hard worker and he built a really successful business from the group up.

"He grafted a lot and he did that to provide us with a really incredible life and a really incredible childhood.

"He loved his family and as soon as he would come home from work, he would put his dressing gown on and would watch TV with us.

"He was such a kind soul and knew so many people - everyone really respected him and liked him a lot because he was a genuinely good guy."

Skydive raises thousands for bereavement charity

Pip, who works in children and young people's mental health, raised £1,700 for Cruse Bereavement Support through the skydive on Saturday, June 1, which provided her with therapy after the accident.

But she says so many children are unable to have bereavement support, because the services are so underfunded and overstretched.

Pip added: "Every death is traumatic but this one was even more so, because of the nature of it - light aircrafts don't fall out of the sky every day.

"It brought a lot of complexities and there was a lot of media and police involvement and they came to us pretty soon as soon as we lost them and they were amazing.

"Their counsellors are all volunteers, but you can't volunteer unless you've been bereaved yourself.

"They gave us counselling as a family and as individuals - so those two opportunities were just invaluable.

"I believe my counsellor was sent from my dad."