Dead schoolgirl's family 'devastated'

Lucy Caley who died in a riding accident

The family of a 13-year-old girl who died in a riding accident on Monday say they are "utterly devastated" by her death.

Lucy Caley was riding her own horse with friends in a stubble field near her home at Meaux, near Beverley, East Yorkshire.

Police believe the horse stumbled before rolling over the Year Nine pupil after a fall.

The accident happened at 1045 BST on Monday morning.

In a statement Lucy's mother Susie, father Richard and older sister Hannah, 16, said: "We are utterly devastated by the death and we have had lots of help and support from our friends, family and neighbours.

"Lucy was a superb athlete and sportswoman and played sport for her school at every opportunity

"She had a beautiful singing voice and was a member of Hull high School senior choir taking the lead in the "Joseph" production in her final year in the junior school."

She will be greatly missed by staff and pupils alike Head teacher Anne Wood

Anne Wood, head of the independent Hull High School which Lucy attended said: "We have all been devastated by the shocking news of Lucy's death.

"She was full of energy, popular with the other girls, academically able, very good on the sports field and a contributor to all aspects of school life.

"She will be greatly missed by staff and pupils alike.

"We extend our sympathies to her parents and to her sister Hannah who is about to receive GCSE results and move into the sixth form."

Police said Lucy was with a small group of friends of similar age riding their horses.

She was described as a competent rider and was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Her horrified friends saw the fall and called for an ambulance.

Lucy was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary but died from her injuries.

A post mortem examination will take place on Wednesday.