Police were called by Harrogate District Hospital on the afternoon of 7 March when Mrs Higginbottom was admitted to accident and emergency after being rescued from the River Ure near Askrigg in Wensleydale.
She was discovered by a fisherman partly submerged in the river near stepping stones at Worton Bridge. The fisherman rescued her from the river and comforted her until the emergency services arrived.
She was taken to Harrogate District Hospital by air ambulance where she sadly died later in the evening.
She was Eva Beatrice Higginbottom, 87 from Matlock, Derbyshire The inquest into her death was opened and adjourned yesterday aftenoon (9 March 2011).
Inspector Ian Thompson of Richmond police, said: “Our thoughts are with Mrs Higginbottom’s family at this sad time, we understand she was a very active person who regularly went on country walks alone.
“We have personally thanked the fisherman who came to her rescue and stayed with her until the emergency services arrived. His public spirited actions meant she received help as soon as possible.”
Mrs Higginbottom was staying in the Wensleydale area on a walking holiday with her family, they raised the alarm when she failed to arrive at an agreed meeting point later in the day.
Police are preparing a report for HM Coroner.
