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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Aamna Mohdin

Woman dies after being injured at Cornish May Day festival

The 2016 Obby Oss festival in Padstow
The 2016 Obby Oss festival – the event dates back centuries. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo

A woman who was injured during a traditional May Day celebration in Cornwall has died.

Laura Smallwood, 34, from Padstow, collapsed in St Saviours Lane and became unresponsive during the town festival. Emergency services were called at around 7.35pm and took her to hospital.

Hundreds of people had gathered in Padstow for the Obby Oss event.

Devon and Cornwall police said Smallwood died in hospital on the morning of Saturday 4 May. Her family have been informed.

The Obby Oss is a dance festival that dates back centuries. On 1 May, local people decorate the Cornish town with spring flowers and two processions of dancers, musicians and singers follow people dressed as hobby horses in a march through the streets.

Police are investigating how Smallwood was injured and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

DI Paul Norlund said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Laura’s family at this very sad time. We continue to follow a number of lines of inquiry to establish how Laura sustained her injuries.

“At this time, we would like to hear from any witnesses and anyone with information, particularly anyone with any relevant mobile phone or camera footage taken around the event.”

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