Woman dies after ‘being struck by horse costume’ at Padstow celebrations
Written by News on 05/05/2019
A woman has died after suffering a neck injury during the traditional May Day Obby Oss celebration in Padstow, Cornwall.
Police are investigating amid reports the 34-year-old was struck by a person wearing a horse costume – known as Obby Oss – while walking along a footpath on Wednesday evening.
The Obby Oss festival takes place on May Day in the coastal town of Padstow in north Cornwall, and is believed to date back to at least 1803.
It features a parade around the hobby horse costume.
Local newspaper Cornwall Live reported that police are investigating claims the woman may have been assaulted during the festivities by another female earlier in the evening.
The victim, named as Laura Smallwood by Devon and Cornwall Police, was airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth following the incident.
She died this morning in hospital and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Detective Inspector Paul Norlund said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Laura’s family at this very sad time.
“We continue to follow a number of lines of enquiry to establish how Laura sustained her injuries.
“At this time, we would like to hear from any witnesses and anyone with information, particularly anyone with any relevant mobile phone or camera footage taken around the event.”
(c) Sky News 2019: Woman dies after ‘being struck by horse costume’ at Padstow celebrations
