THE inquest into the death of backpacker Caroline Stuttle was opened in her home city of York yesterday.

The 19-year-old died ten days ago after being mugged and thrown from a bridge in Australia, where she was spending a gap year break.

Caroline's body was flown home from Bundaberg, 200 miles north of Brisbane, Queensland, earlier this week.

Her father, artist Alan Stuttle, identified his daughter's body and the inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday by York Coroner Donald Coverdale.

He said a post-mortem examination in Australia had shown that Caroline's death was caused by "massive head and spinal injuries due to a fall from a height".

The inquest will be resumed once police in Australia have completed their investigations.

Caroline was attacked as she returned to the caravan park where she was staying with her best friend, Sarah Holiday, after phoning her boyfriend in York.

Her body was found under a bridge over the river Burbnett.

Her handbag and her mobile phone were missing and have still not been found.

The funeral and service of thanksgiving for Caroline's life is expected to take place at All Saints' Church, Huntington, York, at noon next Tuesday.

The Reverend Chris Cullwick, team vicar of the Huntington team ministry, will lead the service, which will include tributes by family friend Brian Gledhill, and Jo Taylor, Caroline's psychology tutor at York College.

There will be a collection plate in church for contributions to a fund to be set up in Caroline's name by her family, to be used to help other young people realise their dreams of travelling abroad.

The funeral service is due to be followed by a private burial.