The driver of a car which hit a horse and rider, killing both, could do nothing to avoid the collision, an inquest heard.

Horserider Samantha White, 24, of Kingsbury Close, Marks Tey, died from multiple injuries after the horse she was riding, Bubba, was hit by a Jeep Cherokee on the A12 at Marks Tey at 11.20am on Sunday, November 5.

Speaking at the inquest at Colchester Town Hall, Samantha's father Dennis White said his daughter had set off in pursuit of another horse, Samuel, which had unseated its rider and set off along a track which led directly to the London-bound carriageway of the A12.

Samuel ran out into heavy traffic on the A12 and Samantha followed on Bubba.

Mr White said: "It all happened so quickly. Samuel had unseated his rider and Samantha ran after him."

Jeep driver Peter Furneaux was returning to London from a weekend in Southwold, Suffolk, and had stopped in Coggeshall for a coffee before resuming his journey along the A12.

He said: "The first horse passed in front of us. We swerved to avoid it and clipped the second horse on the nearside."

Mr Furneaux added: "I've been involved with animals all my life and you would think some sort of instinct would have made them stop."

PC Ian Donaldson, Essex Police crash investigation officer, closely studied the carriageway surface immediately following the accident.

He said: "The driver swerved to avoid the first horse and he could have done nothing further to avoid a collision."

Essex Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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