Rider’s death ruled ‘accidental’ after being crushed in horse fall
A rider who was killed after the horse she was riding slipped and fell on top of her died accidentally, an inquest has concluded.
Aimmed Woodward from Draycott in Derbyshire was airlifted to hospital in Coventry after the accident, on 28 September last year, but died a month later.
The 22-year-old was at Aylesford Equine and Cross-Country Course when the accident happened. She was wearing an approved hat, but was not wearing a body-protector as she was not planning to jump.
The coroner heard from a paramedic at the scene as well as former showjumper Laura Newman, who ran the stables where Ms Woodward kept her horse, and the rider’s friends and parents.
Ms Woodward’s parents have called on the accident to highlight the importance of correct safety wear.
Her father, Robin Woodward, speaking after the 2-day inquest last week (18 October) said: “There are tens of thousands of children and young women riding all over the country.
“As a parent I want them to be aware of their circumstances and how they are being looked after.”
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Ms Woodward was treated in hospital after the accident, but her treatment was eventually withdrawn as her condition deteriorated.
She died of brain injuries and multiple trauma on 1 November 2012.
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Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.