Man breaks eight ribs after being crushed by horse

Joe Billingham was injured after being crushed by a horse he was training

A man left with serious injuries including eight broken ribs after being crushed beneath a horse he was training has thanked the air ambulance crew for their "incredible care".

Joe Billingham, 34, was exercising a horse named, Lolli, in an outdoor riding arena when she unexpectedly reared at Windmill Farm, in Beckwithshaw, near Harrogate.

He was left in severe pain, unable to move or feel his legs and struggling to breathe.

Mr Billingham will recall the "frightening experience" and how the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) critical care team cared for him in an episode of Yorkshire Air 999 on the Quest channel later.

“As a horse rider, you never think these things will happen to you," he said.

“I’ve ridden horses for three decades, but it all happened so quickly.

“I can’t thank the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team enough for the incredible care they gave me that day - they made a frightening experience so much more manageable”.

Mr Billingham said it had been a "frightening experience"

He said after the horse reared he had tried to calm her by using a gentle vocal cue, however she reared again and lost her balance, causing her to fall backwards and crush Mr Billingham in the process.

After emergency services were called by concerned onlookers, YAA paramedics Leanne and Terri-Ann joined land paramedics to treat him, while also ensuring their helicopter did not scare the animals at the farm.

“Horse-related incidents can cause a range of injuries, from broken bones to serious crush injuries," Terri-Ann said.

“Helicopters can unsettle unpredictable animals like horses, so it’s vital we approach these situations carefully, making sure they’re safely put away before we land”.

The crew safely moved Mr Billingham ensuring he was immobilised

Using a Kendrick Extrication Device (KED), they carefully immobilised Joe, ensuring his back remained straight and his neck stable during the transfer.

Leanne said: “The KED allowed us to safely move him without causing further damage or increasing his discomfort”.

Mr Billingham was given a high dose of morphine to help his severe pain and took him inside an ambulance, where his condition improved slightly and he was able to move his toes.

He was then taken by an ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary for further scans and treatment, where it was revealed he had broken eight ribs in the fall.

He spent three days in the hospital recovering from his injuries and is continuing his rehabilitation at home.

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