A school netball captain died after falling while preparing for a match, an inquest has been told.

Rebecca Cooper, who was 14 and from Stockton, Teesside, never recovered from her injuries after tripping and banging her head.

The inquest heard that she was passionate about sport and was netball captain at Our Lady and St Bede's School in Stockton.

Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield recorded a verdict of accidental death.

'Great loss'

Rebecca also represented the school in athletics, hockey and football.

Head teacher Malcolm Frank said pupils had been shocked by her death.

"This was such a tragic accident and a great loss to our school.

"Rebecca was such an intelligent, bright and active student who took part in all activities within the school."

The accident happened during a warm-up routine before a game of netball in March 2001.

Fractured skull

Rebecca was jogging backwards when she fell and hit her head.

She was admitted to North Tees Hospital in a dazed and confused state but was later transferred to the neurosurgery unit at Middlesbrough General Hospital.

Her condition deteriorated because of swelling of her brain caused by a fractured skull.

She died five days after the accident.

A health and safety investigation found that there was nothing wrong with the surface of the netball court.