DEBBIE Exton's death was sudden and shocking. But her family's suffering has been painful and prolonged, made so much worse by the failure to hold an inquest into her death.

Mrs Exton was struck by stonework which fell from a York church. It was a freak accident which left her loved ones asking one question: why?

Two years and eight months later, they are still asking. An inquest should provide answers, but no date has yet been set for the hearing.

This is unforgivable.

All those who have lost a loved one know the grieving process is held back by certain hurdles: the funeral, the first anniversary of the death and, where necessary, the inquest.

Until that formal inquiry is concluded, the bereaved are in a state of purgatory. They cannot move on. As Mrs Exton's son Mark says: "Every day we wait it gets worse."

We are not suggesting York coroner Donald Coverdale could have held the inquest soon after the death of Mrs Exton. Much preparation work is required.

But there is no justification for a near three-year delay. All the relevant reports were in last December - so why are the family still waiting?

This is not the first time the York coroner has taken years to reach a verdict.

He says new initiatives will speed up the service.

If they do not, Mr Coverdale's boss, the Lord Chancellor, should hold his own inquest.

Updated: 11:38 Monday, September 13, 2004