A St Helier nurse, who was one of the first female ambulance drivers in London, died after being paralysed in a riding accident on Epsom Common, an inquest has heard.

Gillian Giles, 48, was thrown from her horse Buddy on August 17, when he started bucking and leaping inexplicably. It was 45 minutes though before the ambulance reached her because the crew were unable to cut through a locked gate.

The mother of two who lived in Banstead but was born in Carshalton spent nearly a month in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington before dying from heart and lung failure.

Widower David Giles said: "I find it appalling there is no common lock the ambulance could get access to. Three-quarters of an hour to get to her when they are five or six minutes away is bad."

The inquest at Westminster Coroners Court on Tuesday, November 6, heard how the ambulance had to call the fire brigade to cut the lock.

Mrs Giles was paralysed from the neck down and had no recollection of events until her death on September 11.

Coroner Dr Paul Knapman said he would write to Epsom Council suggesting a review of arrangements on the Downs.

"I do not think time had any affect on these things and it is a terrible tragedy. I am sure the sympathy of all those concerned goes to the members of her family. This should be classified as an accidental death," he added.

Mrs Giles, mother of Mark, 27, and Kerry, 22, had recently started fundraising for a hospital she had visited in Gambia.

Dr Wilcox, from St Helier's pathology department, paid tribute to his colleague: "She will be missed as much for her friendship and kindness as her clinical work over the years."

November 16, 2001 15:00