Crossbow victim alive with bolt in chest when police arrived, inquest told

The daughter of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, who died after an attack at her home, was still alive and had a crossbow bolt in her chest when police arrived, the opening of an inquest has heard.

Hannah Hunt, 28, was able to text someone pleading for help, telling them she had been “tied up” at the family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9.

The text asked the unnamed member of the public to call the police, telling them the person responsible was still at the house, a coroner’s officer told the short hearing.

Ms Hunt was then able to call 999, reporting that she had been shot, as had her mother and sister, the 10-minute hearing at Hertfordshire Coroner’s Court was told.

She gave her address before the call cut out.

When officers arrived, they found Ms Hunt alive in the main doorway of the home, with a crossbow bolt still in her chest, senior coroner for Hertfordshire Geoffrey Sullivan heard.

Carol Hunt, 61, died from stab wounds to her chest and abdomen, while her daughters Hannah and Louise, 25, died from crossbow bolt injuries, the hearing was told.

The coroner adjourned the inquest to allow any criminal proceeding to take place.

Police have still not been able to question suspect Kyle Clifford after he was arrested on suspicion of killing the mother and two daughters.

The three women were found fatally injured at the family home in Ashlyn Close just after 7pm.

A massive manhunt was launched for Clifford, who was found just under 24 hours later with what were thought to be self-inflicted injuries in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield, north London.

In a tribute to the three victims, Mr Hunt and his third daughter Amy had said: “The devastation that we are experiencing cannot be put into words.”

In a further statement read to Sky Sports Racing viewers by his colleague Matt Chapman, Mr Hunt paid tribute to his “magnificently inspirational” surviving daughter.

He said: “Notwithstanding the horrid evil that’s swept through our lives, wreaking devastation on an unimaginable scale, the counter to that has been the breathtaking messages of support, some of which are still to be read.

“Amy, my eldest daughter, has been magnificently inspirational with her control and support for me, which I am trying, trying so hard, to replicate.

“Every message has felt so important, the same as a reassuring hug.

“We know people are worried about us. We will get through this.”