Equine emergencies, including separate incidents involving a Bacchus Marsh man and a Melton West teen, have injured 13 Victorians this month.
The Bacchus Marsh man, in his 30s, injured his ankle after falling from a horse on December 3. He was taken to Footscray Hospital in a stable condition.
The next day, a Melton West girl fell from a horse and injured her leg. She was taken to Sunshine Hospital, also in a stable condition.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said there were nine equine related accidents on Sunday, December 4, including five involving children.
“With warmer weather and school holidays on the way, paramedics urge people to take care around horses and ensure they have a helmet and safety equipment,” the spokesman said.
“It’s also a good idea to carry a mobile phone with you, so if something goes wrong, you can get help.”
The most serious injury over the weekend of December 3-4 was that of a pre-school aged South Gippsland girl, who was critically hurt when a horse kicked over a gate, which hit the little girl’s head.
She was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a critical condition.
Later in the weekend, a woman in her 30s fell from a horse near Sale. She landed on her head and neck and suffered spinal injuries.
An ambulance spokesman said the woman was flown to The Alfred Hospital in a serious condition.
Of the 13 accidents, 12 resulted in hospital attendances.