Woman in her 80s dies after incident reportedly involving New Forest cattle and ponies at Godshill Cricket, off the B3078 Roger Penny Way

AN elderly woman has died after an incident reportedly involving cattle and ponies in the New Forest.

Paramedics and police responded to a call-out to the casualty, who was in her 80s, at Godshill Cricket, off the B3078 Roger Penny Way, shortly before 2pm on Monday.

She was said to have been lying on the ground with cattle and ponies around her.

Having suffered what were described as serious, life-threatening injuries, she was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

A Hampshire force spokesperson said: “We were called shortly before 2pm on Monday 21st October to assist our colleagues at South Central Ambulance Service following a report of a concern for welfare of a woman on Roger Penny Way, Godshill.

“The woman, aged in her 80s, was located and had sustained serious, life-threatening injuries.

“She was taken to hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.”

The spokesperson added the woman’s next of kin had been informed as a file was prepared for the coroner.

The verderers of the New Forest, which protect and regulate the area’s commoning practices, released a short statement after the incident.

“The verderers are aware of an incident that occurred at Godshill Cricket pitch, where a lady was observed to be laying on the ground surrounded by cattle and ponies,” the statement said.

“[On Tuesday morning], we [were] advised that the lady sadly died.

“The verderers extend their sincere condolences to the lady’s family and friends.

“As the incident is currently under investigation by the police, the verderers will make no further comment at this time.”