In a tragic incident this past weekend in Selby, North Yorkshire, 18-year-old Juliet Palmer suffered a severe spinal injury during a horse riding accident. While participating in a trial hunt on Saturday morning, March 9, Palmer experienced a catastrophic fall when her horse misjudged a hedge jump and both horse and rider tumbled to the other side.
Palmer, who was knocked unconscious by the impact, was quickly attended to by emergency services, with an ambulance arriving at the scene within moments of the accident. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance crews also responded promptly to the call for medical assistance. Despite the severity of her injuries, Palmer was not transported by air but was instead taken to Leeds General Infirmary by ambulance, accompanied by the air ambulance staff who ensured she remained calm and was well cared for throughout the journey.
The equestrian accident left Palmer with significant damage to her spine, fracturing both the anterior and posterior aspects of her T6 and T7 vertebrae. Recovery is expected to be arduous, potentially stretching over weeks or months. Doctors are considering a range of treatment options, including surgery, but are initially opting to use a brace to manage her spinal injuries.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the mishap also led to the death of Palmer’s beloved 19-year-old Connemara pony, Beano, who suffered a broken neck and died at the accident scene.
Source: Yorkshire Live