Camcorder footage of the moments leading up to a bungee jumper's death is being studied by police and safety experts investigating the accident.

The video was shot by the family of Christopher Thomas, 22, who suffered fatal injuries in a fall from a crane during a Bank Holiday fundraising event, in the car park of a Swansea pub.

Eyewitnesses said the elastic rope holding Mr Thomas, who weighed about 18 stone, appeared to snap and investigators hope the footage could show exactly what went wrong.

Police have seized the harness and bungee jumping equipment used and are working with the Health and Safety Executive and Swansea County Council to establish the cause of the accident.

'Bounced safely'

Mr Thomas was among the organisers of the charity event and eyewitnesses said he appeared nervous about making the jump.

It was like time stood still and then he was on the ground close to where his family were sitting

Susan Bailey

He was critically injured and later died from head and spinal injuries in the very unit of nearby Morriston Hospital that he had been raising money for.

Police said that around nine or 10 people had already used the bungee jump before Mr Thomas.

Eyewitness Susan Bailey, 40, said: "He made the jump and bounced safely, but when he made the second descent at the point where he should have pulled up again the momentum changed.

"It was like time stood still and then he was on the ground close to where his family were sitting and people were shouting oh God!'

"I could see he still had the harness around his chest and hips."

Minor problem

The company which organised the jump, Freefall Bungee Wales, has a good safety record.

Bungee jumping has become popular over the last decade

And the company which hired out the crane for the event, N and A James Ltd, said their machinery had been checked three days before the event.

Owner Alan James said the crane, which had been fitted with a new cable last Friday because a minor problem, had been "A-OK."

"It is also checked every six months and has all the certification necessary," he added.

"There was nothing wrong with the equipment."

'Sympathies'

On Tuesday it emerged that no licences are required to operate bungee jumps and all issues relating to health and safety rest with the service provider.

There is a code of practice by which most bungee operators abide, but there is no legislation requiring operators to follow the code.

Swansea councillor David Jones said: "It is far too early in the investigation to draw any conclusions.

"At this time, our sympathies are with the family and friends of the young man who lost his life."