PICTURES : MARK JAMIESON
A man named locally as Simon Fleming is fighting for his life in hospital following an incident involving his horse on Saturday evening.
It is believed that Simon was working with the horse in the Somerset Drive area and was strapped to it when a dog spooked the animal and dragged him a considerable distance down the road.
The Northern Ireland Air Ambulance was tasked to Coleraine on Saturday evening shortly after 6pm following an incident in the area of Waterside, Coleraine.
Emergency services worked on the man for over an hour and was transported by ambulance to the grounds of Coleraine Health Centre where the air ambulance was waiting. The male was flown to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast shortly after 7.30pm for treatment.
A PSNI spokesperson said “Police in Coleraine received a report of a horse running loose in the Strand Road area of the town around 5.30pm yesterday, Saturday 31 March.
Sergeant Phil Graham said: “Police attended the scene and were then advised by the NI Ambulance Service that a male had fallen from the animal and had sustained a head injury. He was transferred by the Air Ambulance to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.”
Speaking to Causeway Coast Community this morning Councillor Darryl Wilson said “I happened to be passing the Waterside area in Coleraine yesterday as the incident took place. It is my understanding that a man been injured in an accident involving a horse. I would like to commend the blue light services, including the PSNI, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, and our Air Ambulance for their rapid response. I would like to thank the first responders and wish the injured man a speedy recovery. “
And the poor horse? how was he??