A RACING community is in mourning following the sudden death of an assistant trainer who was discovered unconscious after feeling unwell.

Jessica Bethell, 24, assistant to her father James Bethell at the family-run yard near Middleham, North Yorkshire, died early this morning.

After riding out twice on Tuesday morning, Miss Bethell went for a lie-down after complaining of feeling under the weather.

She was later found unconscious in her bedroom after failing to appear for the afternoon session.

She was airlifted to James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough, but died this morning.

Numerous members of the racing world have tweeted their condolences.

Silvestre De Sousa, the 2011 runner-up in the British flat jockeys championship, tweeted: “So very sad to hear about Jess Bethell.

“Thoughts go out to her family.”

Newcastle Racecourse clerk James Armstrong said: “All Newcastle Races’ thoughts are with James Bethell and his family after the sad loss of their daughter Jess.”