A popular former teacher who died after apparently being crushed by her two horses was in fact the victim of a cardiac event, an inquest heard.

Rosemary Turnbull, of Dairy Lane, Chainhurst, was moving her animals between fields with friend Jane Tipples when she collapsed in November.

Emergency services rushed to the incident at Chainhurst Farm in Hunton Road, but tragically the 62-year-old mother of two died at the scene.

An inquest into her death was resumed at Maidstone’s Archbishop’s Palace after coroner Patricia Harding adjourned it to obtain evidence from Dr Malcolm Tunnicliff, who led the team that was called to the farm to treat Mrs Turnbull.

Last month pathologist Dr David Rouse said it was likely the former Boughton Monchelsea and East Farleigh primary school teacher died after being crushed between the horses.

Concerns were raised by Mrs Turnbull’s husband, John, and family friends, doctors Peter and Sue Jones, as to whether the piece of equipment used in the resuscitation effort, known as an ACD, may have caused her death.

After hearing Dr Tunnicliff’s evidence, however, Mrs Harding concluded that Mrs Turnbull’s death was most likely caused by a cardiac event that was the result of natural disease.

She clarified that Mrs Turnbull’s heart had stopped 10 minutes before paramedics arrived, and ruled out the possibility of the ACD killing her.

She added that her injuries were consistent with heart failure and not with crushing by the horses as previously thought.

After the hearing Mr Turnbull, also 62, said: “I was very pleased with the verdict and incredibly impressed by the way the coroner dealt with the inquest.

“I’m very pleased that the horses she loved probably did not kill her.”