TRIBUTES have poured in following the shock death of well-known resident Hilary Adair, who suffered fatal injuries after being trampled by cattle.

Mrs Adair, 87, was knocked unconscious and suffered multiple head and facial injuries when she was attacked by cows grazing on Lynchmere Common while she was out walking on January 7.

An inquest into the circumstances that led to her death will be held, but her family and many friends are shocked that someone who knew the common – and the cattle – so well from almost daily walks should have suffered such a tragic accident.

A South East Coast Ambulance spokesman said: “Ambulance crews attended the scene following reports at around 11.30am that a woman had been trampled by cows.

“We were joined at the scene by the air ambulance service. The woman, who suffered serious injuries, was treated at the scene before being airlifted to St George’s Hospital, Tooting.”

Tragically, Mrs Adair never regained full consciousness and died in hospital on January 14.

A mum of two and grandmother of four, fortunately her daughter Sue Berrisford and her son Mike, who lives in Crete, as well as all her close family were able to spend time with her before she died.

A former English teacher, also involved in the Ockenden Venture for refugee children, Mrs Adair was an active member of the community in and around Haslemere and a keen member of U3A.

A founder member of Lynchmere Society, she played a key role in the fundraising appeal that enabled it to buy Lynchmere Common in 1997.

The daughter of the rector of Bramshott, she grew up in the Liphook rectory and the church was an important part of her life. A loyal parishioner of St Peter’s, Lynchmere, she also attended St Margaret’s in Fernhurst.

A knowledgeable plantswoman with the “most beautiful garden”, she worked as a volunteer in the historical gardens at the Weald and Downland Museum from 2009. Head gardener Carlotta Holt said she was a “valued and much-loved member of the team”.

Mrs Berrisford said: “The response has been overwhelming. Mum just knew everyone and everyone knew her.”

Lynchmere Society president Michael Tibbs said: “Hilary was very involved with the society and very supportive.

“We are all shocked. She is the last person I would have expected something like this to happen to. She knew the common intimately and walked there almost every day.”

Fernhurst friend Judith Turner said: “Hilary looked much younger than her years and was fitter than many 20 years younger.

“Life will be different without her around and she will be missed.

“If I had to list people who would not be stupid near cattle, Hilary would be in the top three.

“She was a country girl at heart with a deep love and knowledge of Lynchmere Common and the other commons in the area, not just from walking them with her succession of small, well-behaved rescue dogs, but also from being pond warden, or searching for wild flowers and listening to and recognising the bird song.”

A spokesman for Lynchmere Community Grazing said: “Together with the community in Lynchmere and Hammer we are shocked and saddened by what has happened. We are in touch with the family and our hearts go out to them.

“Ten Belted Galloway cattle were involved in a serious incident at Lynchmere Common on January 7.

“We would like to thank the emergency services and our neighbours for all they did.

“After assisting the emergency services we moved the cattle off the common, to a field without public access.

“We are looking into what happened. The same cattle have been on Lynchmere Common for over four years and we take walkers’ safety very seriously. We always advise walkers to keep their dogs under close control especially around livestock.”