A female rider has been seriously injured after her horse collapsed on top of her and died while she was out riding in Co Down on Saturday.
Police and ambulance crews were called to the scene at the Woburn Road area of Millisle at around midday.
An air ambulance was subsequently requested and, after initial treatment at the scene, the woman, who is aged in her 40s, was taken by road to the Royal Victoria Hospital with serious injuries.
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The horse is believed to have died of natural causes and has since been removed from the road.
It's understood that the woman was out hacking when her horse reared up, collapsed and died.
The road between Millisle and Ballywhiskin was closed for a time as emergency services attended to the incident and provided treatment for the rider.
The rider was from Ian Magill’s horse yard and a spokesperson told Belfast Live : "It has been a very traumatic day for everybody and it is a very sensitive situation. Everyone is obviously very upset by what has happened."
There are no further details at this time.
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