A charity worker who died after a car crash in China probably drowned, an inquest heard.

Veronica Schmitt, 64, was a passenger in a taxi which was forced off the road into a ravine in a remote part of North-West China on July 20.

Miss Schmitt, of Chapel Street, Addingham, was returning from a sightseeing trip to Kalakuli Lake with her friend Moira de Boer when the accident occurred.

Yesterday's inquest heard how the taxi was negotiating a narrow road when it came round a sharp bend and swerved to avoid hitting an oncoming vehicle.

The taxi skidded off the road and plunged into the River Gaizi, killing Miss de Boer instantly.

Miss Schmitt survived the initial crash but was swept down river and her body was found the next day, Bradford Coroner's Court heard.

Her body was flown back to the UK and a post mortem carried out by pathologist Dr John O'Dowd.

Coroner's officer Les Scaife said: "Despite the fact that she sustained severe injuries these may well not have proved fatal. It is Dr O'Dowd's opinion that the time spent in the river was such that on the balance of probabilities it is likely that she drowned."

Further investigations are now being carried out to determine the culpability of the driver.

Bradford Coroner Roger Whittaker adjourned the inquest, pending those inquiries, and it will be resumed in Cornwall where Miss de Boer's family are based.

Miss Schmitt's funeral will be held in Skipton on Friday.

The practising Catholic, who was born and brought up in Little Horton, Bradford, and later lived in Ilkley and Addingham, had worked for Bradford's Probation Service for 25 years before retiring and doing work in China with Voluntary Service Overseas.

VSO's China Programme director, Li Hongyan, said: "Moira and Veronica were exceptional volunteers and an invaluable addition to VSO China programme. They loved China and their placements immensely.

"They were highly regarded by their Chinese colleagues for their professional competence, sense of responsibility and dedication to their work.

"They worked exceptionally well with their students, and are fondly remembered by them as capable teachers and kind and passionate people."

Miss Schmitt's life-long friend Mary Meredith, 59, of Hawkesworth described her as a "faithful, generous and loyal" friend who would be missed greatly.

And her nextdoor neighbour on Chapel Street Margaret Norris added: "She will be sadly missed on Chapel Street. She was a good neighbour and friend."