A WOMAN left fighting for her life after falling from a horse was saved by two passers-by who gave her emergency first aid.

The stricken rider, who was knocked unconscious and stopped breathing, owes her life to a nurse and another Good Samaritan who administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as she lay helpless in the road.

She was out hunting with the New Forest Hounds when the accident happened in a remote part of the district.

The rider, understood to be in her thirties and from the Holbury area, was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital, but was discharged a few hours later and is now recovering at home.

Paul Ames, joint master of the New Forest Hounds, said: “Her horse spooked and twisted around on the tarmac, causing her to fall from the saddle. She hit the road very hard.

“But a nurse and someone who was either a retired police officer or firefighter were nearby and gave her emergency first aid – she’s a very lucky girl.”

Paying tribute to the emergency services he added: “The ambulance and air ambulance people were wonderful.

“The ambulance arrived after only five or six minutes, despite the remote nature of the location.”

Graham Ferris, secretary of the New Forest Hounds, said the accident occurred on the Brockenhurst to Burley road on Tuesday.

He added: “The horse jumped a ditch and landed on the road, which apparently resulted in the animal skidding on the tarmac.”

Police say the rider was knocked unconscious in the fall and stopped breathing.

Last night one of her friends said: “Her horse jumped something and slipped on the road, causing her to come off.”

A Lymington police spokesman added: “Basic first aid from local people probably saved her life.”

South Central Ambulance Service said the rider was treated for “potentially serious injuries”.