Chaos at Pembrokeshire County Show as loose horse injures eight

A 12-year-old boy and 83-year-old man are among eight peopl injured by a runaway horse at the Pembrokeshire County Show.

The Air Ambulance, police officers and local ambulance services are at the scene, in Withybush, west Wales, and five people have been taken to hospital.

The casualties  were hurt when the show horse threw its rider and bolted out onto a busy walkway full of spectators.

A spokesman for the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society said: "A horse taking part in a competition - on the second day of the Pembrokeshire Show - threw its rider and jumped a fence into the crowd.

"As a result there were eight casualties.

"Five people were taken to hospital including a 12-year-old boy and an 83-year-male. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

"Medical crews on duty at the Withybush showground helped treat the injured along with other members of the emergency services. An Air Ambulance attended the scene but was not required.

The Chairman of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society's Trustees, Mr Mike Davies, said: "At the moment our thoughts are with those who were injured.

"We also want to thank the emergency services who were on the scene very quickly and assisted the injured."

He said there would be a full review into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Mr Davies also paid tribute to members of the public attending the show who reacted to the accident in a calm and helpful manner and who rendered valuable assistance.

He added that the show would continue as planned tomorrow (Thursday, 16th August).

Hannah Marie Jones, who was at the scene said: "Six people have been injured, some seriously after a loose horse galloped down the main thoroughfare at the County Show.

"The Air Ambulance is at the scene along with police, local ambulances and St Johns. The area has been cordoned off and the horse has been captured."

A statement from the Pembrokeshire Show said: "We can confirm that there has been an incident at the Pembrokeshire County Show today. We are currently working with all the emergency services who are dealing with the situation. Six casualties are being assessed by Welsh Ambulance Services."

Jonathan Twigg, who was at the show, told the BBC the horse bolted through the crowds.

"A horse, presumably a show jumping horse seemed to break free from the area it was being held and just went on a rampage," he said.

"It bolted up the avenue through the crowds here and took maybe a dozen people out on the way as it just ran straight into them.

"There are several people now being treated by medics, some were still scattered on the ground with what seemed to be head injuries.

"An air ambulance landed here about 10 minutes ago and there are a few people being treated with oxygen masks."

The Chairman of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society's Trustees, Mike Davies, told ITV:  "At the moment our thoughts are with those who were injured.

"We also want to thank the emergency services who were on the scene very quickly and assisted the injured."

He also said that there will be a full review into the circumstances of the incident.

 More updates to follow.