THE death of a much-loved father who was kicked in the chest by a horse was a tragic accident, a coroner has concluded.

Peter Wallace suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of the blow he received from a horse at a harness racing event at Haugh Field Farm near Stirling in Scotland on September 3.

The 65-year-old, from Woodland in Teesdale, was taken to the Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert for treatment but sadly died later that day.

An inquest into Mr Wallace’s death was resumed at Crook Civic Centre yesterday morning.

Coroner’s officer PC Jacqueline Sirrell said: “He was leading one of his daughters’ horses towards the track. At the same time another horse was being unloaded into the designated area.

“The horse kicked out, hitting Mr Wallace in the chest.”

Mr Wallace, a father-of-two, was extremely well-known and respected on the harness racing circuit.

Following his death, friends described him as a “true gentleman” and a stalwart of the sport, while fellow drivers at Stanhope Show wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

County Durham and Darlington coroner Jeremy Chipperfield returned a conclusion of accidental death.

“Clearly nobody intended he should be kicked by a horse,” he said.

“Sometimes horses kick and when they do sometimes the worst happens, sometimes it does not. Sadly this time it did and the only conclusion I can make is this is a tragic accident.”

Mr Chipperfield expressed his condolences to the Wallace family and said he hoped they could focus on the happy memories they share of harness racing.

“It perhaps seems trite to say that someone died doing the thing they loved, he said.

“However, harness racing was clearly a family hobby and a shared passion that brought a great deal of enjoyment.

“This makes it all the more sad. I hope as a family you can remember the good times you enjoyed together, rather than the sad circumstances in which he died.”