Victim thrown from horse still in critical condition

A Lifeflight helicopter prepares to transport the victim of an equestrian accident from a runway at Skydive New England to Maine Medical. (Lebanon Rescue photo)

EAST LEBANON - A Lebanon woman injured Sunday in a horse riding accident is in critical but stable condition at a Portland hospital, Assistant Rescue Chief Jason Cole said on Monday.

The woman was injured when she was thrown from her horse after a flock of birds spooked the animal.

The incident occurred at a farm in East Lebanon around 10:45 a.m.

The woman, 46, and an experienced rider, was medflighted to Maine Medical Center with what were described as potentially life-threatening injuries, according to a press release from Lebanon Rescue. 

It was reported by family members that the victim, whose name has not been released, was tossed about 12 feet in the air. She was wearing a helmet, which received extensive damage in the fall.