Inquest into kayak tragedy causes fresh pain for partner (From York Press)

Inquest into kayak tragedy causes fresh pain for partner of Kate Stainsby

8:24am Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Ryedale news By Jennifer Bell, jennifer.bell@thepress.co.uk

THE partner of a York lecturer who drowned while kayaking in a Yorkshire Dales river on New Year’s Day said her inquest has caused fresh pain.

Mother-of-one Kate Stainsby, a senior physiotherapy lecturer at York St John University, drowned after she became trapped underwater while on an expedition at Hobdale Beck, off the River Rawthey, near Sedbergh.

The 41-year-old, of Swinton, near Malton, had spent New Year’s Eve with her partner, Paul Simpson, and three-year-old daughter, Hannah, before she headed out to the Yorkshire Dales the next day with fellow York Canoe Club members.

An inquest into her death was held at Preston Coroner’s court on Monday where Simon Jones, deputy coroner for Preston, ruled Ms Stainsby died from drowning and a brain injury.

A verdict was given as accidental death.

Mr Simpson, Kate’s partner of 16 years, said: “The inquest just brought things back and made thinking about Kate and what has happened so painful again.

“Although it still hurts at the moment I just hope her friends, particular the ones who where canoeing with her on the day of the accident, can, in time, get as much enjoyment from the life and fit as much in as Kate did in her short time with us.”

He thanked everyone for their support and said he drew comfort that as an organ donor, Kate’s death would have helped save the lives of others.