Matt Cranch pictured on Facebook

A driving instructor told today how he took a picture of the human cannonball a split second before he hit the ground and died.

Rob Hutchinson, 41, was among thousands at the Kent County Showground in Detling on Easter Monday when stuntman Matt Cranch, 23, was killed performing his act.

The tragic death made headlines across the UK as it emerged a safety net had collapsed as the giant cannon went off.

Now the amateur photographer, of Henley Fields, Tenterden, has explained he took many of the photographs which have been seen by shocked readers worldwide.

The last in the series clearly shows the collapsed net.

He said: “The last photo I took must have been half a second before impact.

“I don’t recall any screams, any shouts. It was like a ghost town, just so quiet. There was a feeling of emptiness.”

The 23-year-old from the Isle of Man, was formally identified today. Police have launched an investigation into the death.

Earlier it emerged many of the people who were there when the daredevil fell to his death initially thought him hitting the ground was part of it.

Witnesses said at first the crowd were confused when the stricken stuntman, who had been fired 40ft in the air, lay crumpled.

Paramedics at the scene. Picture: Submitted.

But when the PA announcer called for an ambulance it dawned on them that the stunt had gone terribly wrong.

It is believed the tragedy happened when a safety net collapsed too early - before it could break his fall.

Pictures sent to KentOnline show emergency services at the scene moments after the accident.

Other snaps we have chosen not to publish show the victim lying still on the ground.

Police have now launched an investigation into the incident.

The coroner has been informed and a post mortem will be held later this week.

Thousands were at the venue when the incident happened just after 3pm.

Witness Jade Dobson, of Cavendish Road, Rochester, said: "We saw the young lad, the cannonball, climb up the cannon on the lorry and as he climbed he gave the thumbs up.

"He popped himself in, bless him, and we counted down, then as he shot through the air the safety net collapsed and obviously he landed on the ground."

The 28-year-old added: "I think everyone was a bit confused about whether it was part of the stunt or not.

"Because it happened so quickly not everyone knew if it was meant to be until the commentators said we need a St John's Ambulance over here because he's hurt.

Kent Air Ambulance at the scene. Picture: Submitted.

"They went over and let us know it was actually a bit more serious that what we thought."

One woman, who watched the show with her three-year-old son, said she had been shaken when the stuntman landed right in front of her.

She said: "He was right in front of us and had blood coming from his mouth and was out cold."

The evening's event by Scott May's Daredevil Stunt Show was cancelled after the incident.

Hear cannonball tragedy witness Jade Dobson in full

Roger Moore, executive manager of Kent Event Centre, which runs the showground, said: "Our thoughts are with the event organisers and the family and friends of the man who died in this accident.

"This is our first fatality at the Kent County Showground, despite the fact that we have in excess of 60 events in any calendar year."

He added: "We have stringent policies in place for our own managed and organised event in July, but always ensure that individual event organisers have their own safety standards in place when we hire out the showground to third parties."

Acting Kent Police Chief Inspector Steve Griffiths said: "My officers will be looking into this tragic incident to try and establish what happened.

"The Health and Safety Executive have been consulted.

"At this time we will be taking the lead in conducting an investigation, alongside Health and Safety from Maidstone Borough Council, as we need to understand why this poor man died so that we can take the appropriate steps.

"I would urge anyone who has not done so already to contact police if they have information they believe may help us with our enquiries by calling 01622 604210."

The victim, whose act was part of the Scott May Daredevil Stunt Show, was taken by road to Maidstone Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

A spokesman for Maidstone Borough Council said; "We are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive and the police.

"We are carrying out a health and safety investigation into this tragic incident.

"Our sympathy goes out to all the family and friends of the deceased and everyone who saw the incident.

"We will be looking to see if any breaches of health and safety occurred."

A statement on the Scott May website said: "With our apologies, due to unforeseen circumstances all shows have been cancelled until further notice."

Scott May's Daredevil Stunt Show has been touring in the UK since 1991 and features motorbike and monster trunk stunts, and pyrotechnic displays.

Based in St Just, Cornwall, the show was originally formed to raise money for local charities.

However, all further shows have been cancelled until it’s been established what went wrong.

The Daredevil Stunt Show will remain at the show ground while police carry out their enquiries.

Were you at the show? Pay your respects below.