THE sister of a woman who suffered potentially life-changing injuries after being thrown from a horse has praised the medics who came to her aid, saying they probably saved her life.

Nicola Reed was out riding her gelding ‘Max’ on Coalford Lane, near Pittington, County Durham, shortly before noon on Sunday, January 24 when a car nearby accelerated away and the horse bolted, throwing her to the ground.

She suffered serious head injuries, was anaesthetised at the scene and flown to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough by Great North Air Ambulance (GNAA) helicopter.

Mrs Reed, who lives alone in Low Pittington, spent five days in intensive care and had to have part of her skull removed due to pressure on her brain. Her loved ones were warned to prepare for the worst.

But three weeks on, though the Savers assistant manager remains in hospital, has very limited mobility, cannot speak and must be fed through a tube, she is progressing well, her sister said.

Doctors are reluctant to predict what permanent damage she may have suffered, if any, but she faces several months in hospital, followed by a long period of rehabilitation.

Speaking about the incident publicly for the first time, Mrs Reed’s sister, Yvonne Dickman, of Mulberry Park, Houghton-le-Spring, said: “We just want Nicola back to health. It’s been such a shock.

“She would do anything for anyone. She’s my gorgeous sister. She’s kind, thoughtful, has lots of friends.

“She has a bubbly personality. Everybody loves her. Whatever has happened to her, she doesn’t deserve it.”

Mrs Dickman said GNAA staff had done a marvellous job caring for her sister, adding: “I think they probably saved her life.

“Had she not been airlifted to hospital, it could have been totally different circumstances.”

Mrs Dickman asked for donations to the GNAA in lieu of sympathy cards and hopes to undertake further fundraising for the charity in future.

Mrs Reed was riding with a friend Linzi Smith, who was on an ex-racehorse named Mister. Mrs Reed owns both horses and the two had just collected them from nearby Coalford Lane Farm.

Her sister described her as an experienced rider with a lifelong love of horses who previously had hoped to take part in dressage competitively.

Durham Police are investigating the incident and want to speak to anyone who witnessed it, particularly the driver of the car, which was silver, possibly a hatchback, that accelerated away and a second that pulled out of the track leading to Coalford Lane Farm shortly beforehand. Anyone with information is asked to call 101.