A whipper-in suffered a huge stroke after being dragged his horse into a tree, an inquest has heard.
Gary Bradley, who whipped-in to the Minehead Harriers, was hunting in Wheddon Cross, Somerset on 15 January 2011 when his horse was spooked and careered down a steep hill (news, 3 February 2011).
Mr Bradley was hanging from the saddle by one stirrup and was dragged down the drop until he hit a tree.
He suffered a severe pelvic fracture, broken ribs and a head injury and died on 27 January in Frenchay Hospital, Bristol.
At the inquest at West Somerset Coroner’s Court, in Taunton on Tuesday (28 August), West Somerset Coroner Michael Rose recorded a narrative verdict.
He said 55-year-old Mr Bradley, from Timberscombe, Somerset, had died from a large stroke caused by significant swelling to the brain.
The post-mortem had shown significant trauma to Mr Bradley’s head, he said.
