THE founder of a major Exmoor tourist attraction died in a fall on her stairs minutes after entertaining friends and neighbours for a supper evening.

Cathy Powell was found at the foot of the stairs by her partner Rod Smith after he had shown their guests out.

Her death on February 9 this year resulted in the closure of the Exmoor Owl and Wildlife Sanctuary, in West Lynch, Allerford.

An inquest heard how Ms Powell, aged 70, was unresponsive when Mr Smith found her and she was pronounced dead soon after paramedics arrived.

Senior Somerset Coroner Samantha Marsh said: “The evidence suggests that she had tried to ascend the stairs after an evening drinking socially at home with friends.

“While the exact events are unclear, the evidence suggests that she has suffered a mechanical fall, falling backwards and banging her head on the concrete flooring.

“She sustained an unsurvivable head injury.

“She was pronounced deceased shortly after the arrival of the paramedics.”

Ms Marsh, sitting in the Old Municipal Buildings, Taunton, concluded Ms Powell died from a ‘traumatic head injury’ and that her death was accidental.

Ms Powell, an equine therapist and riding instructor, had previously recovered from shattering her pelvis in a riding accident after which doctors told her she would never walk again.

But she proved them wrong within months by teaching herself to walk and ride again.

She founded the Allerford wildlife centre 30 years ago after relocating from Gloucestershire.

Mr Smith said in an interview with the Free Press shortly after Ms Powell’s death, he would have to close the wildlife sanctuary and re-home as many of the birds and animals as possible.

He said: “I cannot carry on with the business without her.

“Everything here, everything I see, everything I touch, is her dream.

“I have to accept with her passing, everything passes.”