A CORONER has ruled a verdict of accidental death after a woman died when she was kicked in the head by a horse.

Lucie Simpson, 20, died on May 4, after being kicked by a mare the day after it had given birth to a foal at West Bridgford Equestrian Centre.

Notts Corner Dr Nigel Chapman said it had been a "tragic accident".

The inquest heard evidence from a vet who tried to save her life.

Simon Pollard, found Lucie Simpson, 20, lying unconscious in a stable moments after she had helped him with the mare.

Mr Pollard said: "I heard a snap and a very short yelp.

"There was an open window at the front of the stable and I saw Lucie lying on her back with her head by the stable door.

"She was unconscious and gasping for breath.

"I entered the stable and started doing CPR after putting her in the recovery position. The mare was at the back of the stable.

"I believed there was no threat to us any longer at that stage."

Asked by coroner Dr Nigel Chapman why he thought there was no further threat he added: "My assessment was that the mare and foal were at the back of the stable and my priority was with Lucie."

Earlier, Patricia Smith told the inquest how she had seen the horse kick out on CCTV pictures.

She had seen Lucie in the stable moments earlier and "rushed round" to see if she was safe.

Mrs Smith said: "I saw the horse give a kick, not a big one, and I rushed round.

"It was an instinct that I went round."

After seeing Lucie, from Carlton, lying unconscious and vet Simon Pollard trying to revive her, the court was told how Mrs Smith returned to the reception area of the centre to find its owner Lorraine Kirkman.

Mrs Smith added: "I said 'Lorraine, there's been an accident, phone for an ambulance'."

Mrs Smith said she accompanied Lucie to hospital in the ambulance but she died before their arrival

Earlier, pathologist Dr Philip Kaye described how Lucie's death was due to bleeding on the brain caused by the kick from the horse.

The former Wheldon School, Carlton, pupil, who had just landed her dream job working with horses, had been assisting Mr Pollard in taking a blood sample from the foal just minutes before the mare kicked out.