A former teacher and cafe owner died accidentally after falling into a stream in Hereford city centre, an inquest has heard.
Jo Snowzell, who had swapped the classroom for running her own cafe, lost her life after ending up in the water in what has been ruled an accidental death. The inquest heard details of the tragic incident that claimed the life of the well-known local figure.
Snowzell had built a reputation in the Hereford community, first as a teacher and later as a cafe owner, a role that would have put her at the heart of local life in the city. Her death has clearly left a mark on those who knew her.
The inquest, held to establish the full circumstances surrounding her death, concluded that she died as a result of accidentally falling into the stream. Streams and waterways running through town and city centres can present serious hazards, particularly in low light or during adverse weather conditions, and her death serves as a stark reminder of those dangers.
Hereford, a historic city on the banks of the River Wye, has a number of smaller waterways running through and around its centre. Falls into such waterways, even those that appear shallow or calm, can quickly become fatal.
The local community in Hereford has been left mourning the loss of someone who had dedicated much of her life to serving others, whether in the classroom or behind the counter of her cafe.
oh that’s absolutely awful, poor man. right in the city centre as well, you’d never expect something like that to happen. thoughts with his family 💔