A WOMAN died after the people carrier she was travelling in left the road and crashed through a hedge, an inquest was told yesterday.

Eileen Hancock, 63, of Vart Road, Bishop Auckland, died from head injuries received in the accident, which happened as she was travelling home with her husband along the A688, near Staindrop Field House, on October 17 last year.

The inquest at South Durham Coroner's Court heard that Mr Hancock was driving at a reasonable speed and had not been drinking.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.