Maci Williams died after being kicked in the head (Image: Handout)

A 13-year-old girl was killed in horror accident when she suffered a fatal horse kick to the head as her mum cried “stay down”, an inquest has heard. Maci Williams suffered a horrific head injury when she was kicked while helping lead a group of horses from a paddock to the barn.

She collapsed on the ground in front of her mother, Caroline, after the incident at a farm in Lewes, East Sussex. Her mother shouted: “Stay down, stay down” as the group of horses continued to kick out. After the horses were cleared, she immediately rushed over and began trying to resuscitate her daughter. Paramedics were called and they continued CPR before summoning the Sussex Air Ambulance.

The Coroners Office at Westfield House, Lewes (Image: HANDOUT)

Maci was then flown to King’s College Hospital in London where her injuries were found to be “unsurvivable.” She was transferred to Chestnut Tree House – a hospice – where she died the following day.

An inquest was told the tragic accident happened at Lower Stoneham Farm in Lewes, East Sussex on February 27 last year.

Maci, a keen horse rider, had gone to the farm to ride her pony, Susie, with her mother.

While they prepared to ride out they went to get the horses from the field but noticed one animal, Amir, had jumped his fence and was standing next to a group of mares in another field.

The hearing was told the mares may have been in season and Amir had probably jumped his fence to get near them.

The group of riders went out to round up the horses and the animals were being led from the paddock back to the barns down a lane.

King’s College Hospital in London (Image: Getty)

Maci was leading her own horse, Susie, and another horse, Lulu, a short distance behind Amir.

The hearing was told Amir became “spooked” and kicked out which set off the other horses causing them to kick.

Maci was caught with a kick to the head causing the horrific injury and she fell to the ground.

She said: “Something spooked Amir which set Lulu off and the horses all started to spook.

“I saw Amir kick out which I thought was at Susie and Lulu and I saw Maci fall to the ground. I said ‘Stay down stay down.’”

In a statement her mother said Maci had been around horses for many years and was used to them.

Ms Williams said Maci was “happy, bright and confident around people she trusted but could be quiet and shy with people until she got to know them.”

The hearing was told Maci, a pupil at Seaford Head School, had found school difficult and been suffering from anxiety but she loved to ride her horse as it helped ease her stress.

She looked after her horse, Susie, three or four days a week and she was shared with another rider at the farm, a DIY stables, where it is the responsibility of the owners to care for the animal.

Fiona King, assistant coroner for East Sussex, asked the family whether it was usual for riders to wear helmets or protective hats.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

But giving evidence the Health and Safety Executive told the inquest that hats and protective vests were not usually worn unless someone was riding a horse.

Giving a conclusion of accidental death, the coroner said: “I think this was an accident with no-one responsible. It’s one of those appalling accidents that happen sometimes with horses.”