AN INQUEST has been opened into the death of a woman who was struck by falling masonry while visiting York.

Mother-of-three Debra Exton, 45, from East Leake, near Loughborough, was on a two-night break in the city when the incident happened on Monday.

She was walking near All Saints' Church, which is between High Ousegate and Coppergate, when a pinnacle fell and struck her on the head.

Ms Exton was identified to police at the scene and was pronounced dead at York District Hospital at 4.35pm.

York coroner Donald Coverdale opened the inquest at Sentinel House, Stonebow, York, yesterday.

He said: "Debra Marie Exton was in York for a two-night stay and at 4.10pm on January 28 she was walking past All Saints' Church at High Ousegate and Coppergate when a large piece of masonry, a pinnacle, fell and struck her on the head.

"This was at the time of very high winds. She sustained extensive head injuries."

Mr Coverdale said a post-mortem examination had been carried out and cause of death was said to be head injuries caused by falling masonry.

The inquest was adjourned to a later date.

The Ecclesiastical Insurance Company, which represents All Saints' Church, is now investigating.

Company spokesman Toby Barker said a meeting had taken place in York with church representatives to find out what happened and inquiries were continuing.

He said: "Obviously it was an awful nightmare incident, but thankfully it was a freak incident and is not something we are used to happening. It was incredibly tragic."

The remainder of the fallen pinnacle and two similar pinnacles have since been removed as a precaution.

There were originally five pinnacles on the church, but two were removed in the early 1990s because they were deemed unsafe.

Of the other three, two were modern replacements, which included the one involved in the incident.

Updated: 11:36 Thursday, January 31, 2002