Heather Bell's horse bolted after a helicopter flew overhead

Heather Bell, 38, was thrown through the air "like a rag doll" when her horse galloped off as the Chinook went over the farm in Market Rasen, Lincs.

Mrs Bell had been riding for two months as she went, with two friends, to Manor Farm on 11 June, 2003.

She suffered brain damage although her helmet was intact after the fall. She was pronounced dead the next day.

'Noisy and windy'

Riding instructor Jessica Fussey told an inquest at Market Rasen Festival Hall: "I just remember seeing two heads with helmets on thinking that they could clearly see me because I could see them.

"The last thing I remember of the helicopter was it being directly over our heads and very noisy and very windy and very dark."

Rider Victoria Goulding told the inquest she thought the helicopter coming towards them was so low, she almost expected people to jump out of it.

Coroner Stuart Fisher, sitting with a jury, heard Mrs Bell was at the back of the group when the helicopter approached.

Mrs Bell was heard to say how low the Chinook appeared to be flying just seconds before it reached them.

Mrs Fussey, who owned the farm and livery yard where they were riding, said: "The last thing I can remember is the black and the noise above us and the wind that was blowing.

'Rag doll'

She said Mrs Bell's horse approached a sharp bend in the bridleway.

Mrs Fussey said: "As we approached the turn, Heather's horse braked and at that point she lost her seating.

"She flew into the grass. She travelled through the air like a rag doll."

Paramedics managed to resuscitate her, but found on arrival at hospital that she had suffered severe head injuries and had less than a 1% chance of survival.

The inquest continues.