Hannah Lowe hiker waterfall death: Trainee accountant falls 60ft to her death on romantic hike with boyfriend who ‘couldn’t grab her in time’ inquest determines.
An inquest has determined a 29 year old woman fell to her death after plunging from a UK waterfall – despite her boyfriend’s ‘desperate’ attempt to pull her back up.
Hannah Lowe, a trainee accountant, and Adam Stanaway, had just finished chatting at the top of the picturesque Kinder Downfall on Easter Monday, April 22 — discussing how excited they were to buy their first home together — when tragedy struck as they got up to leave, Metro UK reported.
‘Hannah turned around and lost her footing on the rocks,’ Stanaway said in a statement read before the Chesterfield Coroner’s Court. ‘I reached around to grab her bag but I couldn’t grab it in time and she fell. I looked, but I could not see her because my eyes are not that good. I shouted for Hannah’s mother and she came over. We tried to get down but had to go back up.’
Lowe’s mother and sister had walked and picnicked with the couple earlier that day, but had left them on their own before the accident happened, the inquest heard.
Lowe’s body was discovered 60 feet below at the base of the waterfall shortly after her falling.
‘To say that she was much loved is an understatement.’
Investigators determined that Lowe – an experienced hiker – had suffered catastrophic brain injuries and the circumstances were not suspicious.
‘They sat and talked about their future and how happy they were,’ Sgt. Trevor Seed told the court. ‘It was Adam’s 30th birthday the next day and they were completing the purchase of their first house.’
‘This has been a terrible shock. One minute she was happy and looking forward our new life together, the next she was gone,’ Adam told officers.
‘She was a wonderful, beautiful person, who will be sorely missed by all of those lucky to have known her.’
Derbyshire assistant coroner Emma Serrano ruled the incident an accidental death.
‘I take note of the many wonderful things that have been said about Hannah,’ Serrano said. ‘To say that she was much loved is an understatement.’
Lowe, of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, had recently taken up bouldering — climbing on small rock formations without ropes.
At work, she had recently become an assistant accountant and was preparing for exams.
‘Today I lost my soul mate, my partner in crime, my absolute rock,’ Stanaway posted to Instagram after the accident. ‘Words can’t begin to explain the pain I’m feeling right now but I’m honored to have shared what time we had. I will spend the rest of my life making you proud and making myself a better person. You lifted me up and made me what I am in dark times and in happy times. I will love you forever. Sleep tight my darling until I see you again.’
