At 12.58 the team was paged by LANCON FIM (Force Incident Manager) to respond to a Lancashire Ambulance request with regards to a Horse rider who had come to grief in Rivington.
22 team members responded in three team vehicles, with our Deputy Leader and others who live nearby, arriving on scene very quickly, within 10 minutes of getting the incident location. The 48 year old female, an experienced horse rider, had been riding in the company of another rider when her horse unseated her and she fell injuring her pelvis and lower back.
During this response, LAS requested our assistance at another incident reported to them in Rivington, and the team member’s response to this particular incident was split as some members went to this second incident (see incident 27/2006).
The location of the injured horse rider was on the bridlepath network to the rear of Rivington Hall Barn at the foot of Rivington Terraced Gardens, and team members along with the responding LAS crew treated the woman’s injuries by the use of a back splint, long board and head blocks. She was then transported on a stretcher in the rear of our BM2 Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulance which had gained nearby access, and this was able to bring her down to the waiting LAS vehicle at Rivington Hall Barn.
Because of the possible serious nature of the woman’s injuries it was decided to utilise the North West Air Ambulance Helimed 08, which had also been called to the incident, to air evacuate her to Royal Preston Hospital.
Team members prepared to load the casualty into Helimed 08.
Team members and the LAS crew carried the woman on a stretcher to the nearby landing point of the helicopter, which then took off at 14.25 for the short journey by air to Royal Preston Hospital.
We understand from the woman’s family that upon full examination in hospital it was established that she had fortunately not suffered any broken bones, but with soft tissue and bruising injuries she is likely to stay in hospital for a short while. The whole team sends their best wishes for a full recovery.
Thanks are also expressed to the members of the public who initially stayed with this horse rider until the emergency services arrived, and provided much comfort and support.
