Horse Trader

An equine expert has been killed after a horse that she was treating in an oxygen chamber kicked out after becoming spooked and caused a freak explosion. Erica Marshall, 28, from New Jersey, USA, had been monitoring the horse, which was receiving oxygen therapy. The incident took place last Friday.

The animal became spooked and kicked through the padding of the pressurised hyperbaric chamber wall, resulting in its steel horseshoe hitting a metal wall and sparking an explosion that was heard up to 30 miles away. At the time of the explosion, Erica had been monitoring the animal via video link in a nearby room.

The huge explosion caused debris to be thrown 1,200ft and ripped off part of the roof and one side of the chamber. Erica’s husband, Kieran, of Corsham Wilts, said that Erica was “his best friend” and that she died “doing what she loved”. Paying tribute to Erica, who he married last November, Kieran said: "Erica was such a kind and generous woman.

"She only cared about other people and wouldn't want all this fuss but that was Erica, she was selfless." Erica met Kieran whilst she was studying equine science at Hartpury College near Gloucester. They relocated to Ocala, Florida, in 2010 after Erica was offered a job at the Kentucky Equine Sports and Rehabilitation Centre.

Erica, who had run the chamber for two years, treated two to six horses every day. The horse that she had been monitoring had not been tranquilised before being placed in the chamber as it had been in there four times previously without any problems. Erica’s workmate, Sorcha Monely, 33, from Ireland, sustained head injuries in the explosion and is currently being treated at Shands Hospital, Gainesvillein.

Thirty horses were also in the building, but were not harmed. Tributes for Erica poured in from friends after news of her death. Pete Rust, landlord of the Fountain Inn, Gloucester, where Erica worked as a barmaid for a year, said: “She was perfect really, that just about sums her up. “She really was wonderful, and very well-liked by all. She met her husband Kieran while studying at Hartpury and they were the dream ticket, the world was their oyster. “I knew she was always looking to get back over to America and when she got the job it was fantastic.”

It is not clear when the chamber, which was built three years ago, was last inspected. A full investigation into the incident is currently being carried out by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration in Florida.