THE inquest into the death of a woman found unresponsive on a riverbank in Christchurch has opened.

Michelle Amy Gilhooley, 39, of Hillbrow Road, Bournemouth, died at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital on October 14 after being found unresponsive on the riverbank in Wick Lane.

An inquest held at Bournemouth Town Hall heard how an ambulance was called to the scene where bystanders had commenced CPR.

Senior coroner’s officer for Dorset, Ian Parry, said Ms Gilhooley had sustained hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and her condition continued to decline in hospital.

Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.

Her medical cause of death was believed to be hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, due to cardiorespiratory arrest due to drowning.

Area coroner for Dorset Brendan Allen adjourned the inquest until February 1, 2022.