The husband and son of a retired teacher desperately tried to save her after she plummeted down a treacherous mountainside in the Austrian Alps.

But Dorothy Keay, 50, tragically died in the 120-metre fall.

She had gone on holiday with her husband Kenneth and children Helen and Andrew with another family of four.

Weeks earlier, Mrs Keay, of Brickhouse Close, West Mersea, had retired from Mersea Island School after teaching there for 12 years.

The well-equipped group were hiking on August 2 along a mountain track through a pine forest above the valley where they were staying near to the village of Pfurtschell.

The footpath was uneven earth with protruding rocks and branches.

Mr Keay said: "The footpath became narrow and very steep to our left. Her legs went from under her very suddenly and then she was slipping over the edge. She was propelled over the edge in an instant, then I lost sight of her."

Mrs Keay's body was recovered with the help of local people and a mountain rescue helicopter. A post-mortem examination in Britain revealed she died from multiple injuries.

Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, said: "It was the most dreadfully tragic accident."

After the inquest, Mr Keay said: "I'm relieved that this stage in my grieving is over, especially before Christmas."

By Stephen Rawlins

Reporter's e-mail: stephen_rawlins@thisisessex.co.uk

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