(Image: Alun Bull)
A County Durham man has described the 'terrified scream' he heard as his mum fell 20ft at a Scottish waterfall on a family holiday.
Ann Potts, 81, from Chester-le-Street, died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee on May 19 after falling at Reekie Linn Waterfall in Angus a week earlier on May 12.
An inquest on Monday (August 24) heard Ann was on holiday in Scotland with her family when they visited the 45-metre waterfall.
Assistant Coroner Dr Leslie Hamilton heard Ann slipped and fell down a steep bank towards the waterfall, suffering multiple fractures and serious injuries to her chest and back.
Her son Geoff Potts, who gave a statement to the inquest, said Ann had COPD and heart problems, but that his mum, an “adventurous spirit”, could walk without a stick and was “stable on her feet”.
The family had visited the waterfall in good weather and initially believed it was suitable for a fairly short walk.
Geoff said he went off the footpath with his dog towards the waterfall, with his dad following part of the way, while his mother remained higher up.
He said he then heard "a terrified scream" before turning and seeing his mother fall.
The inquest then heard that Ann fell onto rocks before continuing down the bank. It is estimated she fell around eight metres, or 20ft.
Geoff said he watched his mum land heavily on her front and she complained of pain in her chest and back.
Geoff called 999 and the air ambulance, police, fire service and paramedics attended, while mountain rescue crews helped get Ann safely to an ambulance.
Ann remained conscious and was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
Doctors found she had suffered extensive injuries to her chest and back and described them as life-threatening.
She was placed on a breathing tube and remained unconscious for most of her time in hospital.
An operation to stabilise her back was planned for May 20, but she suffered a cardiac arrest late on May 19.
Her family were told doctors could not sustain her, and the breathing tube was removed before they said their final goodbyes.
Dr Tamara McNamee carried out a post-mortem examination at the police mortuary in Dundee.
Her cause of death was recorded as "complications of blunt force injuries as a consequence from descent from height".
The inquest at Redhills in Durham heard Reekie Linn is a 45-metre waterfall with a path around one to two metres wide and bordered by large oak and pine trees.
It heard there were "no fences, barriers at any point in the path into the waterfall."
Dr Hamilton said Ann's death was "a tragic story of an active 81-year-old lady who was out enjoying the beauty of Scotland with her family".
He said she had suffered "a slip and fall down the gorge about 30 feet landing on her front, injuring her chest and back".
Dr Hamilton concluded Ann's death was accidental.
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He said: "I therefore give a conclusion of this was due to an accident, an accidental fall."
Ann's family praised the emergency and medical teams who treated her following the fall.
Her son Geoff said: "The rescue service and the medical team, were truly excellent, and we couldn't wish for better care, which was given to my mother and communication to ourselves."