Woman killed by horse in Singapore

A 73-year-old woman has died after being pinned under a horse at Gallop Stable's Punggol Ranch yesterday evening, reported The Straits Times.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a call at 5.56pm and was alerted that a Chinese woman had been pinned under a horse at Gallop Stable's Punggol Ranch.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts were ongoing when the SCDF arrived. A check found no pulse or breathing. SCDF took over the CPR, and she was taken to Changi General Hospital unconscious. A spokesman for the hospital later said that the woman, known only as Madam Lim, did not survive her injuries.

Gallop Stable, which offers pony rides and horseback riding lessons, also has an outlet in Pasir Ris and runs Horse City at Turf Club Road. The owners of Gallop Stable, Mr Shanker R., and his wife, Mrs Mani Shanker, could not be reached for comment.

According to Lianhe Wanbao, the family of 10 had gone to the Gallop Stable chalets for a staycation to celebrate her grandson's 21st birthday.

Madam Lim's eldest daughter, secretary Madam Guo, 55, told reporters at the morgue that the accident occurred soon after the trainer hit the rump of the horse several times. The horse was turning in circles and refused to approach the ramp to allow Madam Lim to dismount. 

Said Madam Guo in the Lianhe Wanbao report: "I was there with my daughter at that time, along with some other visitors. I saw that the horse was getting agitated, and shouted for my mum to hold on tightly."

However, the horse suddenly reared backwards throwing Madam Lin on the ground. At the same time, the horse also lost its balance and landed on top of her. 

Lianhe Wanbao reported that the horse weighed about 550kg, and pinned Madam Lin to the ground for about five minutes before it stood up. Madam Lin's grandson, national serviceman Mr Guo, 21, said he tried to perform CPR on Madam Lin, but believed her chest had been crushed by the trauma as it was 'soft' to the touch. The family is still waiting for the autopsy report to determine the cause of death. 

According to Madam Guo, there was only one staff member on hand to help, and there was also no first aid kit available. Another staff member also seemed "nonchalant" when she asked if an ambulance had arrived yet. The family said it intends to pursue legal action against the ranch for possible negligence.

A spokesperson for the ranch said an internal investigation is ongoing, and it has extended its assistance to the family of the deceased.

This article was first published on Nov 15, 2015.
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