Coroner’s verdict on balcony fall death
A CORONER has recorded an open verdict into the death of a much loved woman who died after falling from a balcony in Benidorm.
Danielle Hall, 21, was on holiday with her boyfriend Jordan Bevan and his grandmother when the tragedy occurred in November 2016.
They were staying at the Bermudas apartment hotel, and Danielle, of Ninebanks, near Hexham, had been on a night out at the resort with Jordan that evening.
On her return, she fell over the balcony railing of her apartment and was found on the roof of a garage several floors below.
Danielle, who worked as a catering assistant at a Tesco store in Hexham, suffered fatal injuries.
At an inquest in North Shields, it was said that a number of reports, including post mortem and toxicology documents, had been requested from Spanish authorities to help establish what happened.
Northumbria Police also carried out inquiries and Jordan told officers that Danielle had not shown any signs of depression or suicidal tendencies on the night she died.
He said that after they returned to their apartment, she went outside to the balcony and he assumed she was going for a cigarette.
He then heard a bang or a thud and found Danielle lying on the floor.
Coroner Eric Armstrong said there was no evidence to suggest she had taken her own life. However, he also did not have any witnesses who saw what happened or any information showing it was an accident.
He added: “We don’t have any accounts or information telling us how she fell from the balcony.
“It’s most likely to be that she had a drink, she was a bit unsteady, went for a cigarette and lost her balance and fell.
“If this is right, there’s no supportive evidence for it. I cannot say it was an accident. What is left is an open conclusion.
“There is no suggestion, no evidence that comes anywhere near the suggestion, that Danielle meant to harm herself in any way at all.” Mr Armstrong also paid condolences to her family and told them: “You leave with my sympathy and my condolences. No parent should have to deal with the death of a child. You have my sympathy.”
After Danielle died, her family released a statement saying she was “a much loved daughter, sister and a fantastic auntie to her five-month-old niece”. They added: “Danielle was an outgoing and friendly girl who will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
“She loved children and animals especially horses and dogs, she enjoyed helping on the family farm, especially at lambing time.
“She has left us with some fantastic memories which we will treasure forever. We would like to thank everybody for their support and for sharing their memories with us.
“It brings us comfort to know how loved she was.”