A trainee accountant fell to her death at a waterfall overlooking the Peak District just moments after discussing her bright future with her boyfriend.

Hannah Lowe, 29, an experienced hiker, lost her footing and plunged almost 100ft to her death, her inquest heard.

Moments before, she and boyfriend Adam Stanaway – who would turn 30 the next day – were speaking about how excited they were to buy their first home together.

As they got up to leave the beauty spot at the top of Kinder Downfall in Derbyshire, Hannah slipped and fell.

Chesterfield Coroner’s Court heard the couple had been on a walk on Easter Monday with Hannah’s mother and sister, leaving from the village of Edale just after noon.

After three hours the party reached the top of Kinder Scout peak and had a picnic before the couple left alone.

They spent a short time at the top of the nearby waterfall before getting up to leave.

Devastated Adam described the horrifying moment his girlfriend fell in a statement read to the coroner.

He said: ‘Hannah turned around and lost her footing on the rocks. 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.’

Around half an hour later, Hannah was found dead at the foot of the waterfall.

She had suffered catastrophic brain injuries and an investigation found that there were no suspicious circumstances.

Sergeant Trevor Seed said in a report read at the inquest: ‘They sat and talked about their future and how happy they were.

‘It was Adam’s 30th birthday the next day and they were completing the purchase of their first house.’

‘They were saying what a wonderful time they were having and how very happy they were.

‘But as they got to their feet to return to the rest of the group Hannah lost her footing. Her partner tried to grab her rucksack, but she slipped from his grasp.’

The inquest heard the keen walker, from Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, had enjoyed climbing since she was a girl.

In recent years she had taken up bouldering – climbing on small rock formations without using ropes – and was said to ‘keep herself physically fit’.

In work, she had progressed to the position of assistant accountant and was studying for exams.

Mr Stanaway said: ‘This has been a terrible shock.

‘One minute she was happy and looking forward to our new life together, the next she was gone.

‘She was a wonderful, beautiful person who will be sorely missed by all those lucky enough to have known her.’

After the tragedy he posted a picture and message on Instagram which said: ‘Today I lost my soul mate, my partner in crime, my absolute rock.

‘Words can’t begin to explain the pain I’m feeling right now but I’m honoured 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.’

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, Derbyshire Assistant Coroner Emma Serrano said: ‘I take note of the many wonderful things that have been said about Hannah.

‘To say that she was much loved is an understatement.’

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