A football fan who died during violence at an English third division match was crushed to death by a police horse, police said yesterday. Terry Coles (41), died in hospital after sustaining a fractured skull and crush injuries during battles between Swansea City and Rotherham fans ahead of Saturday's championship decider.

South Yorkshire assistant chief constable Tim Hollis said the tragedy occurred as police intervened to break up the rival supporters who hurled missiles at each other on the way to Rotherham's Millmoor Lane ground.

Hollis said the match was considered "high risk" and 117 police officers were deployed at the ground and in the town centre.

The police horse was cantering down a slope to deal with the trouble when it collided with Coles.