Mother's trailer death 'an accident

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Last Updated: Friday, 17 October, 2003, 11:24 GMT 12:24 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Mother's trailer death 'an accident' The family had lived in the village for eight years A woman who was killed by a runaway trailer after saving her daughters died as a result of an accident, a coroner has said. Wendy Smith, 33, died while out walking with her two young daughters in Halton Lea Gate, near Haltwhistle, four years ago. The inquest had heard she saved her two daughters by throwing them over a wall before she was killed. The trailer, owned by Woolsingham based Fletcher Marquees, became detached from a lorry while being towed through the village in September 1999. Ms Smith was crushed against a wall when the trailer mounted a pavement as she walked with her two young daughters. The force of the impact demolished a stone wall by the roadside and a telegraph pole. Ms Smith suffered multiple injuries and died soon afterwards in the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle. The coroner, delivering his verdict in Carlisle on Friday morning, criticised the lack of maintenance of the trailer and said Ms Smith's death could have been prevented. He also called for the introduction of MOT style testing of all lightweight trailers and caravans. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE TYNE/WEAR STORIES SelectNew Iraqi abuse charge is droppedFlood village strengthens defenceEast Coast rail bid scrutinisedCarrots may help ward off cancerCall for £100m UK stem cell fundCannabis grandmother's No10 tripCountdown to security clampdownWife avoids jail after rape lieYards to make £4bn ships chosenPolice release name of dead man WHERE I LIVE BBC Tyne Sport, chat, travel and much more from the BBC website for Tyne WHERE I LIVE BBC Cumbria Environment, sport, leisure and more from BBC Cumbria SEE ALSO: Mum died saving her daughters 15 Oct 03 | Tyne/Wear RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Northumbria Police The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP TYNE/WEAR STORIES NOW New Iraqi abuse charge is dropped Flood village strengthens defence East Coast rail bid scrutinised Carrots may help ward off cancer TOP UK STORIES NOW Treasury 'holds back' ERM papers Asylum children to face returns Scammers compile 'suckers' lists Bomb accused hope for apology

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