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Mum drowns after falling into secret well that appeared while she was gardening

A mum-of-two has died after the ground in her garden gave way while she was gardening and she fell into a secret well.

Irena Nadiotis, 57, fell into the hole at her Grade II listed property 17th century Cotswolds house - and went unnoticed until her daughter Maddi looked out the window.

An inquest heard how the university student noticed a deep well which she had never seen before and discovered her mother at the bottom when she went to investigate.

Police were called to the home in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, but the divorced mum-of-two, who had overcome breast cancer, was pronounced dead hours later.

Senior Coroner Katie Skerrett recorded an accidental death.

She said: “The ground had clearly given way beneath Ms Nadiotis, causing her to fall into the well and she had become submerged at the bottom.

"She had sustained a minor head injury as she fell.

Hidden: The well in the garden was previously covered by patio stones (SWNS)

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"I find the appropriate short form conclusion in this tragic case to be indeed accidental death and accidental fall down a previously covered well, rendering her unconscious and becoming submerged in the water, and that the drowning carried her away.”

Irena had lived at the house for about 18 months with her daughter Maddi and son Hari, who was on a gap year at the time.

A medical report read out at Gloucester Coroner’s Court said her lungs shows the “characteristic features of drowning”.

Police were called at 5.47pm on May 14 and they arrived with an ambulance and a fire crew shortly afterwards, but she was pronounced dead at 8.26pm.

Mrs Nadiotis worked part-time as a garden guide at Highgrove Gardens in Tetbury and as a sales assistant at the Domestic Science store in the town centre.

At the time of her death Highgrove said: “We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Irena Nadiotis, who was a cherished member of our team.

"Our heartfelt condolences go to Irena’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Top pic: SWNS