Mother-of-two, 34, dies from neck injuries after being hit by ‘wooden Obby Oss’ at centuries old Cornish pagan May Day parade
- Laura Smallwood, from Padstow, was found collapsed on Wednesday evening
- She was with hundreds in Cornwall, for the annual May Day Obby Oss festival
- Officers are investigating reports she was hit by a large wooden horse costume
- They added it was possible the mother-of-two was assaulted by another woman
A mother-of-two has died today after suffering a serious neck injury at a traditional May Day celebration.
Laura Smallwood, from Padstow, Cornwall died this morning after she was found collapsed on Wednesday evening.
The 34-year-old died after a wooden Obby Oss horse ‘smacked her in the face’ during Cornwall’s May Day parade.
Police are investigating exactly how she was injured but last night it was believed that she had been hit in the jaw with a wooden horse, which was used as a prop in the festivities.
And officers said it was possible that Mrs Smallwood had also been assaulted by another female earlier in the evening.
Laura Smallwood, 34, from Padstow, Cornwall died this morning after suffering a serious neck injury when a wooden Obby Oss horse ‘smacked her in the face’ during Cornwall’s traditional May Day celebration
Friends have taken to social media to pay tribute to the mother-of-two, pictured with husband Ollie Smallwood
Heartbroken friends have taken to social media to leave touching tributes to the mother-of-two, including one who wrote: ‘Heaven has gained another angel. Far too soon, love you always.’
Another said: ‘Truly unbelievable – just don’t have the words.’
Several friends changed their Facebook profile pictures to ones showing the mother-of-two, as they paid tribute.
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.’
Officers at Devon and Cornwall police are now investigating reports she was hit by a Obby Oss – a large wooden horse costumes – while walking on a footpath.
The traditional event features two hobby horses – Old Oss and Blue Ribbon Oss – that parade through the town.
They are large oval frames covered in black oilskin, which have a small horse’s head at the front with a snapping jaw.
Male dancers wear them and catch women under a black cape as they parade through the town.
The origins of the Obby Oss are unclear, with many different theories behind it.
Some believe the celebration harks back to pagan times, while others think that it’s a rain maker, a fertility symbol, or even a deterrent to a possible landing by the French some centuries ago.
Some simply think that it is to welcome the summer.
Thousands take part in the event every year and it is seen as the biggest day in Padstow’s calendar.
Police are investigating exactly how she was injured during the traditional May Day festival
Officers said it was possible the woman, who was flown to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, had also been assaulted by another female earlier in the evening
They are investigating reports she was hit by a Obby Oss – a large wooden horse costumes – while walking on a footpath
Several friends changed their profile pictures on Facebook to pay tribute to the mother-of two
Laura Smallwood suffered a serious neck injury during Cornwall’s traditional Obby Oss celebration (festival pictured) and died in hospital this morning
Obby Oss horses are large oval frames covered in black oilskin, which have a small horse’s head at the front with a snapping jaw.
The traditional event (pictured) features two hobby horses – Old Oss and Blue Ribbon Oss – that parade through the town
Last night, locals claimed Mrs Smallwood was in a coma after the ‘unfortunate accident’.
One, who did not want to be named said: ‘If you’re near the horse when it’s swinging around you put your hand up to stop it hitting you on the head.’
She added: ‘This time… it slipped on the grass and it swung up and gave the woman an uppercut to the chin.’
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