A TRAGIC accident at a ski resort in the French Alps caused the death of a mother-of-two, an inquest was told.

The inquest in Southampton heard that Tina Yearsley, 49, was driving one of seven skidoos on a ride through the slopes of Arches-La-Frasse on February 1 this year when she lost control.

Mrs Yearsley and her passenger, Carl Jackson, were thrown off the machine as they rounded a U-bend during the drive, which was part of a trip organised by the company they worked for, Tenon, to entertain clients.

The pair had taken turns to pilot the skidoo and were accompanied by an instructor, who regularly checked their progress.

Mr Jackson, 45, told the inquest that Mrs Yearsley, from Hiltingbury, a director who had been with the accountants for five years, was driving "very, very slowly" and being "extremely careful".

He said that as they went round the bend, instead of turning to complete the manoeuvre, Mrs Yearsley accidentally applied full acceleration, which caused the skidoo to speed away extremely quickly.

The pair, who were both wearing helmets, crashed down a steep drop at the edge of the U-bend, hitting branches on the way.

Mr Jackson, who broke his shoulder in the accident, said that he was later told that they hit a tree, although he did not recall that himself.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Southampton coroner, Keith Wiseman, said it was probable that Mrs Yearsley died instantly.

A pathologist's report found that she suffered a fractured spine, as well as other impact injuries.

Mr Wiseman said there was no suggestion of anything untoward having taken place and that the group's instructor was "diligent" in his duties.

"What seems to have happened was there was just one second or two, really, where the wrong handle was pulled and I suspect what tends to happen in this situation is one tends to freeze," he said.

Speaking after the hearing, Mrs Yearsley's husband, Steve, 52, said the accident had led to a "devastating loss" for the family, especially their two sons.

"I don't know what to say. She was always up for something, full of beans.

"She was always doing something for charity," he said.