A woman died after she was struck by a traditional hobby horse costume during a centuries-old May Day festival in Cornwall, an inquest has heard. Nurse Laura Smallwood, 34, was airlifted to Derriford Hospital where she died a few days later.
The event in Padstow on May 1, 2019, featured 'hobby horses', that parade through the town, Cornwall Live reports. The large oval frames of an 'obby oss' are covered in black oilskin, which have a small horse's head at the front with a snapping jaw.
Laura's husband Oliver was the first to give evidence before senior coroner for Cornwall, Andrew Cox on Tuesday (April 6). He said his wife was “very caring”, “very strong” and always amazed him, adding “she was really happy and a fun kind of person”.
Mr Smallwood and Mr Cox spoke of how two osses go through the streets, one blue and one red with spectators dividing into two lines depending on what colour they are. Mr Smallwood told the inquest it was around 7pm he was informed Laura had been hit by the oss and that she’d been knocked out, but said he was initially told she was okay.
Mr Smallwood recalled walking up to Stile Field and seeing Laura lying on the ground. He went with her in the air ambulance to Derriford but her condition deteriorated over the course of a few days and she died on May 4, 2019.
Next up to give evidence was Laura’s friend, priest Kirsten Norfolk. She spoke of how she, Laura and others shared a couple of bottles of wine before going into Padstow square to watch the oss celebrations.
Ms Norfolk said that it was very busy and Laura became involved in an argument with Chelsea Powell and a male who was with Ms Powell. The argument culminated in Ms Powell striking Laura and leaving a mark. Ms Norfolk said “it was over as quick as it started” and everybody laughed about it and moved on.
Ms Norfolk said she arranged to meet Laura shortly later at Stile Field. She said: “I tried ringing her and there was no answer. I was told Laura was crying and had been hit by the oss. A number of people were with her so I thought she’d be ok. People get bumped by the oss all the time so assumed she’d be fine.
“I could see something in the distance where we left Laura and ran back and could only watch her be taken away by medical staff for treatment. I didn’t see her get hit in the first incident or by the oss.”
Another witness, Michael Dennick, said he too was present when the argument took place and that he heard a slap and saw Laura’s head go back and her sunglasses go flying, leaving a mark.
Laura’s cousin Rosie Howells gave a similar account. She said Laura became involved in the argument after a child was knocked in the face. She said Ms Powell told Laura she shouldn’t have got involved, with Laura then trying to diffuse the situation. Ms Howells said they were separated and that was the end of it. She added that the groups then dispersed and it was laughed off with Laura seeming fine.
Jack Jones, Ms Powell’s boyfriend, said he didn’t remember much of the day due to alcohol consumption and the time that has passed since but said he does recall shoulder barging someone in the crowd leading to an argument between Laura and Ms Powell. He spoke of an exchange of words before Ms Powell struck Laura in the face.
Giving evidence late morning on day one of the inquest, Ms Powell said she’d been at the social club for most of the day before going into town for a bit.
She recalled the streets being packed and Mr Jones chasing after her after a disagreement between her and her brother caused them to leave the social club. She said: “I recall walking through town and Jack not being there. I saw him arguing with someone so I went and had a go at this person. Laura grabbed my arm so I shoved her in the face and said something along the lines of basically ‘don’t effing touch me’.”
The inquest then went on to hear evidence relating to Laura being struck by the oss. Sian Howells said that she first saw Laura at 6:10pm, but she was very mad and angry which was completely out of character.
Ms Howells said: “I saw Laura again at 7pm at Chapel Stile field, there were lots of people and the procession was huge. The person in the oss was swapped and I watched the changeover take place. All of a sudden the oss moved backwards which was very unusual and I now know it was because of a fall.
“Laura had her back to the oss. One thing we are always taught is not to have your back to the oss and Laura would have known this. I thought it was very unusual and she would have known better. I could see what was going to happen but couldn’t do anything. I saw the oss hit her and thought that’s going to hurt.
“It struck me as odd that she didn’t acknowledge being struck by the oss. I found her behaviour on that day completely out of character.”
Another friend spoke of how things happened so fast, but after being hit by the oss Laura said it hurt a little but was able to remain standing. It was a short while later Laura grabbed her friend’s arm and said she needed to go home due to a dizzy feeling. It was shortly after this that medical help was sought. The inquest also heard when she was hit by the oss, Laura was fit and well from the earlier incident involving Ms Powell.
The inquest, expected to last three days, continues
