A NORTH Yorkshire woman who was airlifted to hospital after a serious riding accident says she was lucky not to be killed.

Now members of the hunt she was riding with have vowed to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which took her to hospital when a conventional vehicle was unable to reach her.

Jenny Rooke, 45, of Nawton, near Kirkbymoorside, was crushed under her horse after it reared and fell back on top of her. She could not be reached by a conventional ambulance despite being just fields away from her home. Instead the air ambulance helicopter took her to York District Hospital.

Now members of the Sinnington Hunt have vowed to raise funds for the air ambulance service with a raffle at a point-to-point meeting at Duncombe Park, Helmsley, on February 16.

The emergency service relies entirely on donations to survive and needs more than £1 million a year to keep flying.

Mrs Rooke, who had been out with the hunt when the accident happened, said she couldn't thank the emergency services enough.

She said: "You never think yourself that you are going to need an air ambulance. Accidents can happen unexpectedly at any time to any one of us when we're in an isolated or inaccessible area, so the air ambulance plays a vital part.

"I just can't thank them enough, they were so kind and efficient and it makes you realise just how necessary the service is."

Mrs Rooke, who is now recovering at home after suffering two broken ribs, said it was the first time this year she had taken her horse out hunting.

She said: "We only went across a few fields and she just flew up into the air. She went straight over backwards on to me and I got the full impact of her. It's the worst kind of accident with a horse.

"I just think how lucky I have been, I could have been killed."

Her husband Mark, who farms just outside the village, said he thought the worst when he was told there had been an accident.

But he said the air ambulance crews had been wonderful, rushing her to York in under seven minutes.

Mr Rooke said: "In rural areas we just can't do without them."

Angela Mountfield, business manager for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said the charity provided a vital service.

She said: "We have definitely proved that the air ambulance saves lives. There is a golden hour after someone is hurt where the quicker they receive treatment the better it is for them."

Miss Mountfield added: "We have a programme of fundraising events but it is basically just down to the public who want to do their bit."

Updated: 11:54 Tuesday, January 29, 2002