A 12-year-old girl has died after a horse fell on her before a parade in Shelburne, Ont.
Prior to the start of the annual Fiddlefest parade scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, the young rider was in the staging area when her horse reared up, knocking her off. She was then crushed by the horse, said police.
Const. Paul Neumann of Shelburne Police Services was on scene immediately as he and other members of the police service, along with firefighters and paramedics, were also in the staging area, ready to take part in the parade.
The girl was transported by air ambulance to Headwaters hospital in Orangeville where she died “even though she had almost immediate attention,” said Neumann.
“She’s ridden in this parade in previous years as well and is known to the area,” he said.
The parade has been cancelled out of respect for the victims family.
Officials will be conducting a full investigation with assistance from the coroner.
Agencies/Canadajournal