A 34-YEAR-OLD woman has died after allegedly being hit by a wooden horse costume during a traditional May Day festival.

Laura Smallwood suffered serious neck injuries during the centuries-old Obby Oss parade in Padstow, Cornwall.

7 Laura Smallwood, 34, from Padstow, Cornwall passed away this morning after being hurt during the traditional May Day celebration Credit: Facebook

7 She died after being seriously injured during Padstow's Obby Oss parade Credit: Apex News

7 Laura with husband Ollie Smallwood - friends have taken to social media to pay tribute to Laura Credit: Facebook

Police are investigating whether she was struck by the Oss itself — an oval frame covered in black oilskin which is worn through the streets by a dancer.

However officers also suspect she may have been assaulted earlier in the evening, an hour before she collapsed on Wednesday evening.

Heartbroken friends took to social media to pay tribute to the mum-of-two after she died in hospital today.

One wrote: "Heaven has gained another angel. Far too soon, love you always."

Another said: "Truly unbelievable – just don't have words."

Many changed their profile pictures to include Laura.



ASSAULT PROBE

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."

The Obby Oss event sees dancers parade through the town with stylised recreations of two horses — the Old and Blue Ribbon Osses.

They are accompanied by drummers and triangle and accordion players.

Emergency services were called at 7.30pm after the woman collapsed in St Saviours Lane and became unresponsive.

The woman, from Padstow, was resuscitated and airlifted to Derriford Hospital with a serious neck injury.

Police today confirmed she has since died.

It is believed that the woman may have been assaulted by another woman earlier in the evening, the spokesman said.

This may have occurred at about 6.30pm in the vicinity of the London Inn in Church Lane.

Hundreds gather in the streets for the May Day Obby Oss celebration in Padstow, Cornwall

MOST READ IN NEWS Latest furlough 2.0 Rishi announces furlough plan where workers get 77% pay for doing 1/3 hours STORE TOT SNATCH Family's horror as 'kidnap gang try to rip girl, 1, from pram' in TK Maxx 'WONDERFUL SOUL' Girl, 16, stepped in front of a train while pal watched helplessly LOCK THE BOAT Devon and Cornwall are worst lockdown flouters in the UK, new stats reveal FACE OFF Shocking moment passenger kicked off busy train for not wearing a face mask Exclusive PIERS PRESSURE Couple wiped out village's internet for 18 MONTHS to watch Piers on £30 TV

Detective Inspector Pete Found said: "We are following a number of lines of enquiry to establish how the woman sustained her injuries.

"We would like to hear from any witnesses to either reported incident and would especially like to request any relevant mobile phone or camera footage taken around the event."

Anybody with information or footage is asked to contact police via 101@dc.police.uk or by phone on 101, quoting log number 116 of 01/05/19.

7 One of Laura's friends said they 'just don't have the words' to respond to the tragic news of her loss Credit: Facebook

7 She was rushed to hospital but died from her injuries this morning Credit: Facebook

7 Laura may have been hit by a model horse used in the parade, police said Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

7 Hundreds had gathered in the streets for the May Day Obby Oss celebration in Padstow, Cornwall Credit: Press Association

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.