FORMER joint master of the Cattistock Hunt Fiona Vigar is critical but stable after falling from her horse.

The 43-year-old was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital near Bristol after the fall in Loders.

She was operated on immediately and is in a chemically-induced coma.

Husband Chris, from Cerne Abbas, praised both the air ambulance’s quick response and the standard of care at Frenchay.

He said: “I am extremely grateful for the prompt and professional response of the air ambulance and also the amazing treatment she is receiving in the intensive unit at Frenchay.

“Their standard of care is unbelievable. Half of this is science rather than medicine, it is so cutting edge.

“I think she is in the best hands possible.”

Mr Vigar said Fiona fell off her horse and hit her head on the road, sustaining a serious head injury last Thursday.

He said no-one else was involved and there was no-one to blame.

“It was an accident,” he said.

Villagers rallied round to help after Mrs Vigar fell in the main street near the Loders Arms as she was riding one horse and leading another.

Onlookers said that something may have happened to spook the horses and she came off backwards hitting the ground hard.

Richard Swift, joint landlord of the pub, was one of the first to dial 999 and paramedics, an ambulance crew and the air ambulance arrived at the scene.

The road through the village was closed for a time before the air ambulance took her to hospital.

Mr Swift said: “The lady was coming through the village on her horse, leading another and for whatever reason the horse either slipped or was spooked by something and she came off backwards.

“She was on the ground for about three-quarters of an hour being treated before she was taken to hospital.

“Plenty of people came out to see what they could do.”