Mystery injury ‘may have played part’ in Obby Oss death

A WOMAN who died after being struck on the back of the head and neck area by a giant costume at the Obby Oss celebration in Padstow may have been more susceptible to injury on that day due to a mystery injury sustained 10 days or so before, an inquest has heard.

The inquest into 34-year-old Laura Smallwood’s death on May 1, 2019, is being held in Truro. On the morning of day one, the hearing heard from various witnesses who saw Laura being hit in the face following an argument in the street a couple of hours before the incident with the oss – a large oval-framed hobby horse that parades through the town.

Before being hit by the oss, “kind and caring” nurse Laura was described as acting “out of character”, and the inquest also heard evidence from the man inside the dancing costume, Kevin Constance, who said he had no idea he made contact with Laura after stumbling back. Laura died in hospital several days after her arrival.

The second day of the inquest heard medical evidence from a pathologist, Amanda Jeffrey, who performed a post-mortem on Laura, and Dr Kathryn Urankar, who examined Laura’s brain and associated neck structure.

Dr Jeffrey explained that the subsequent medical examination revealed no significant physical injuries attributable to the oss incident or the altercation earlier in the day.

Dr Urankar said there was evidence of a healing process relating to an injury sustained prior the events of May 1.

Andrew Cox, senior coroner for Cornwall, asked Dr Urankar whether it was possible the incident 10 days or so previously did not manifest itself until May 1, to which she answered yes.

The experts confirmed that even an innocuous injury to the vessels that control blood to the brain make them more vulnerable to further issues during the healing process.

Dr Urankar said there was “no way of telling what the event was or what happened” and that damage and tears to vessels can be caused in a number of ways without the person feeling unwell or being in pain.

Laura’s cause of death was given by Dr Jeffrey as a brain cell infraction (a stroke) caused by a bilateral vertebral artery dissection (tear).

Dr Urankar said: “There was a tear which has retorn.”

Dr Jeffrey added: “I can’t exclude a blow to the face could have caused the damage present, but it is far more likely something lingering in the background tipped over and was significantly worsened at the moment of the Obby Oss incident.

“These things can be something someone doesn’t consider an injury and at the time can be very minor but put extra pressure on the vessel and cause damage.”

Both medical experts agreed that it is possible that Laura could have still suffered catastrophic injuries from the Obby Oss strike, but at the same time it is far more likely the Obby Oss incident was worsened by the previous injury.

The inquest is likely to finish today