A WOMAN was killed when a piece of masonry fell from the roof of a church late this afternoon, as York city centre was buffeted by high winds.

Police said the woman was walking along Pavement at about 4.15pm when part of a metre-high pinnacle fell from All Saints' Church and hit the her, causing serious head injuries.

Bystanders rushed to help following the accident, and emergency services were quickly called to the scene.

The woman, thought to be in her 30s, was taken to York District Hospital for treatment but died a short time later.

An ambulance spokesman said cycling paramedic Mark Inman was among the first on the scene.

Coppergate and Ousegate were closed as a result of the incident. A police spokesman said they were likely to remain closed until tomorrow morning.

City of York Council announced that a diversion would be in place via Clifford Street, Tower Street, Castle Mills Bridge and Piccadilly, from the Ouse bridge direction.

From the Pavement area, a diversion via Piccadilly, Fishergate, Paragon Street, Fawcett Street, Fishergate, Castle Mills Bridge, Tower Street and Clifford Street was in place.

* Full story in tomorrow's Evening Press.

Updated: 17:26 Monday, January 28, 2002