AN inquest jury returned an open verdict today in the case of a woman who died taking part in an cross-Channel ferry evacuation drill.

Speaking at the end of the three-day hearing at Dover Magistrates Court, Lynda McCabe Jones’s widower Brian said he was contemplating legal action against P&O but was pleased the company had taken action to change their procedures.

Mrs McCabe Jones, of High Halden, near Ashford, suffocated after dropping down a 15-metre chute from the ferry Aquitaine on October 9 last year.

Witnesses told how Mrs McCabe Jones, 53, an information technology leader with the firm, became stuck about two thirds of the way down the chute.

Pathologist George Vittay said she had become jack-knifed and had been in that awkward position for more than 10 minutes.

Mr McCabe Jones and two other close family members were in court for the duration of the inquest.