A woman who was killed by a runaway trailer after saving her daughters died as a result of an accident, a coroner has said.

Last Updated: Friday, 17 October, 2003, 11:24 GMT 12:24 UK

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Mother's trailer death 'an accident'

The family had lived in the village for eight years A woman who was killed by a runaway trailer after saving her daughters died as a result of an accident, a coroner has said. Wendy Smith, 33, died while out walking with her two young daughters in Halton Lea Gate, near Haltwhistle, four years ago. The inquest had heard she saved her two daughters by throwing them over a wall before she was killed. The trailer, owned by Woolsingham based Fletcher Marquees, became detached from a lorry while being towed through the village in September 1999. Ms Smith was crushed against a wall when the trailer mounted a pavement as she walked with her two young daughters. The force of the impact demolished a stone wall by the roadside and a telegraph pole. Ms Smith suffered multiple injuries and died soon afterwards in the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle. The coroner, delivering his verdict in Carlisle on Friday morning, criticised the lack of maintenance of the trailer and said Ms Smith's death could have been prevented. He also called for the introduction of MOT style testing of all lightweight trailers and caravans.