The daughter of a woman who died after falling over a brick wall has spoken of her despair over the tragic accident.

Sylvia Riley, 46, of Runswick Grove in Odsal, died in the early hours of Sunday after she had been at a music festival at Myrtle Park in Bingley.

Her daughter Michelle said she would be remembered by friends and family for her cheeky smile and bubbly personality.

"Everyone is completely devastated - we just can't believe she's gone," said Michelle, 26, who is expecting her first baby on Christmas Day.

"She was so looking forward to being a grandma even though she was only young herself.

"My mum was a real character and she really was the life and soul anywhere she went.

"She believed in living life to the full and she was always out or had the house full of friends."

Friends and family clubbed together to put an emotional tribute in the Telegraph & Argus which described her as a "great lady in our time".

It told how she unselfishly put others before herself and "always had time for anyone and a cheeky smile for everyone, a smile that kept her in her teens to the day she left us".

Michelle Riley, who lives in Queensbury with her partner Lee, said that her mother had recently found new happiness in her life after meeting her partner John six months ago.

"They were very happy even though they hadn't known each other long and were talking about getting married.

"John was with her on the night she died and is completely devastated. They'd been out at the festival and had gone to the pub for a drink.

"They were in the car park when it appears that my Mum fell over a brick wall on to the path by the canal.

"It was pitch black so it was difficult for John to see what was happening but my mum couldn't get up and said she wanted to have a rest and the pair of them fell asleep.

"When John woke up a few hours later, she was dead.

"He ran to get help and tried to resuscitate her but she was already dead. We think she must have fallen and broken her neck."

Mrs Riley, who was born in Colne in Lancashire but moved to Bradford more than 20 years ago, worked in the accounts department at Courtaulds European Fibres in Great Horton. Police described the death as a "tragic accident". An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday so that further inquiries could take place.

A service will be held at Nab Wood Crematorium tomorrow at 3pm.

T&A Opinion

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