Annie Hall floods death: Ex-High Sheriff 'swept away when car stuck in water'
A woman was "swept away" by floods after her car got stuck in water, an inquest heard.
Former High Sheriff of Derbyshire Annie Hall was found near the River Derwent near Matlock on 8 November. Chesterfield Coroner's Court heard she and her husband got out of their car after they drove into floodwater and the engine seized. Her body was found in flooded farmland about half a mile away from the "partially submerged" vehicle. A post-mortem examination confirmed her cause of death as drowning. The inquest heard Ms Hall, 69, and her husband drove into flood water near Darley Dale at about 01:00 GMT. Sgt Phillip Bateman, from Derbyshire Police, told the inquest the couple had left their vehicle on foot after it stalled. "[Ms Hall] subsequently went into more floodwater and we believe she got swept away by the current," he said. Robert Hunter, senior coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, adjourned the inquest. A memorial service for Ms Hall will be held at Derby Cathedral on 9 December. Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.