A teenager has been killed in a riding accident near Banbury.

John Wilson, 14, of Woodway Farm, Sibford Ferris, fell off his pony while riding near Woodway Lane.

Police said John, who was wearing a safety hat, was riding with his mother Sue in a field when tragedy struck.

Although his mother did not see the accident, she became aware of his pony loose in the field.

John was found lying injured on the ground moments later.

The accident happened yesterday morning (Thursday) and paramedics from Banbury were called to the scene.

An Oxfordshire ambulance spokesman said: "There appeared to be no signs of life. We carried out resuscitation work at the scene and all the way to the hospital."

John, who suffered serious facial injuries, was certified dead by doctors at the Horton Hospital in Banbury.

The deputy coroner's officer Pc Brian Wallington, who is based at Banbury, has begun his investigation into the fatality.

A post-mortem will take place today and an inquest into the death will be opened in Oxford either later this morning.

A Banbury police spokesman said: "This has been a very tragic accident."

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