A MAN who died in a freak microlight accident touched everyone with his kind and caring nature, says his father.

Daniel Ambrogio Attubato, 35, had "golden hands" according to his dad Carlo Attubato, of Tovil Road, Maidstone.

Mr Attubato died on Saturday August 21 when the microlight he was a passenger in crashed over cliffs at Connetts Farm, Plough Road, Eastchurch, near Sheerness.

Both he and his wife, Yvonne, took off from Rochester Airport in separate planes while family waited to welcome the couple back to the ground.

But during Mr Attubato's flight, something went wrong. It is believed the plane's V-shaped wing section became detached from the metal supports holding Mr Attubato and experienced pilot, Terry Stewart, 50, from Orpington, who also died in the tragedy.

Eyewitnesses said the plane appeared to "break up" in the air before spiralling to the ground.

An investigation has been launched by the Department of Transport's air investigation branch.

Mr Attubato's father said: "Daniel was a diamond and we had an extremely good relationship. He had a wonderful nature and cared about people. Anyone who knew him loved him and was fond of him. He had golden hands and in his short life achieved a lot."

Young Mr Attubato and his wife lived in Weavering, Maidstone, and had been married just over a year, having lived for a while in Salisbury Road.

He worked as a manager at Howdens Joinery, Gillingham Business Park, and was one of four children. Brothers Mark, of Gillingham, Michael, of Sittingbourne and sister, Antonia, who now lives in Scotland, have all been devastated.

Mr Attubato was born in Maidstone in June 1969, eight years after his father emigrated from Italy. He was educated at Minterne Junior School, Sittingbourne, followed by nearby Fulston Manor School and after leaving worked with his father, a self-employed builder.

Mr Attubato's mother, Monica De-Gernier, separated from his father in the 1970s and no longer lives in Kent.

An inquest in Mr Attubato's death has been opened and adjourned. Post mortem examinations revealed both he and Mr Stewart died of multiple injuries.

"People said that the microlight turned over and over and just disappeared from the air," Mr Attubato's father said. "Yvonne's mum and dad were waiting for them to come back and Yvonne was in a different plane. They were flying close together but Yvonne did not see what happened.

"They had been married just over a year and were extremely happy together. Daniel looked to me for advice and we used to discuss things in depth. I loved him very much and I still do."

Mr Attubato's funeral was held on Tuesday at St Mary the Virgin and All Saints' Church, Boxley, near Maidstone, where he was married.