A 26-YEAR-OLD snowboarder died as a result of being trapped for 45 minutes under a snow drift, an inquest heard recently.

Emily Watts, from the village of Lavenham in Suffolk was snowboarding in the French area of Chamonix on 8 December 2012.

Emily, who was better known as Mimi, became trapped after falling into fresh snow which then collapsed in behind her.

Two passing skiers saw her snowboard and attempted to dig her out. They were joined by the local rescue services but by the time she was brought to the surface Miss Watts had been under the snow for about 45 minutes.

She was taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead five days later.

Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean recorded a verdict that Miss Watts’ death had been caused by severe anoxic encephalopathy and a cardiac arrest due to a lack of oxygen.

He stressed at the inquest that Miss Watts was a capable snowboarder and there was no suggestion she had been reckless.

Miss Watts had been planning to set up a snowboard clothing company called the Good Story. Following the tragedy, family and friends set up the Good Story Charity in her memory.

The charity aims to help young entrepreneurs set up their own businesses through providing loans and business advice. It has already raised more than £50,000.