COUNCIL chiefs today moved to reassure people that buildings in York are safe after a tourist was killed by masonry falling from an ancient church.

City of York Council building inspectors, its environmental health team and police today resumed investigations into the incident, which happened as the city centre was buffeted by high winds.

Police said Debra Marie Exton, 45, of Loughborough, Leicestershire, who was visiting the city with a friend, was walking near All Saints' Church, at the junction of Coppergate and Pavement, when part of a metre-high pinnacle fell and struck her on the head.

Horrified bystanders rushed to help, including two police officers who were nearby.

The woman, was taken by ambulance to York District Hospital suffering from severe head injuries, died a short time later.

A council spokesman said an identical pinnacle was today being removed from the church as a precaution while investigations into the incident continued.

He said: "Buildings in the city are checked regularly both by ourselves and the owners. We feel that this is a freak accident."

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

Inspector Garry Marchant, of York Police, said the masonry fell during high winds, but the actual cause had yet to be identified.

The incident was so shocking that police have offered help to anyone who has been affected.

Insp Marchant said: "This was an horrific thing to see, and if anyone is suffering from stress or has been traumatised by this incident then they can contact the police and we'll try and give them help and guidance.

"It is absolutely tragic that this should happen. What is so disturbing about it is that it could've happened to anyone."

It is not the first time that masonry has fallen from the church, which is mainly 14th century in construction.

In the past, signs have been erected to warn passers-by of the danger.

Scaffolding covers much of the building as part of a restoration programme costing £200,000.

The Rev David Porter, vicar of All Saints', said he was devastated by the incident.

He said high winds had brought down the pinnacle about nine years ago, but it had been restored.

He said: "I'm shattered, it's one's worst nightmare. It's dreadful for the family.

''I just can't imagine what they are going through."

Insp Marchant said that a link between the ongoing work and yesterday's incident had not been ruled out.

Newspaper seller Martin Cook, 26, saw the accident happen from his pitch in Piccadilly. He said: "The stone fell off the top of the church and hit her on the head. I saw the stone come down and she obviously fell backwards.

"I got up and ran across, but someone was helping her already. It was unbelievable... the stone just came off in one big lump."

Ian Wrightson, 30, from Clifton, was just yards from the church when the masonry fell.

He said: "I was trying to help her. There was blood coming from the side of her head and we didn't know what to do.

"I tried to make sure that no one else could get near her in case something else fell."

The streets surrounding the church, which were closed by City of York Council last night, were reopened at 11am today.

The church will continue to be cordoned off while investigations into the accident continue.

The council was working with a church architects this morning to make the building safe.

The Archbishop of York today expressed his "deepest sympathy" for the family of Ms Exton.

In a statement issued by his office, the Archbishop, Dr David Hope, said he was "very saddened and distressed" to hear of the tragedy.

Updated: 13:46 Tuesday, January 29, 2002