18 April 2023 , 13:10
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A woman was crushed against a concrete bollard after being hit by two horses during Saturday's Grand National.
Recite A Prayer and Galvin had unseated their riders at the first fence, but continued to run the course for some distance before veering off track. The duo were then unable to stop as they approached a section of the crowd and tripped over.
They slid towards the racegoer at speed, with the woman left with virtually no time to react before they hit her. She was crushed against a concrete bollard and received medical attention from a police officer before an ambulance was called.
Spectators had shouted warnings at those in the path of the two horses, but the woman was unable to react. The incident was filmed by fellow racegoer Mugdim Muhakovic, who was left shaken.
"In the distance, I saw two jockeys fall. I saw the two horses coming towards me. They smashed into the woman. It was quite shocking, and I was quite shaken myself and stopped filming and went to help," he told The Sun.
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"The policeman came over and gave her first aid. She was in pain. She couldn't stand on her foot. I heard them radio for an ambulance. I left the scene ten minutes later and heard the sirens coming. It was unreal. I'd be surprised if her leg wasn't broken. Hopefully it's not."
The two horses had already thrown off their jockeys (INTERENET PICTURE)
They would continue running alongside the race before veering off and colliding with the woman (INTERENET PICTURE)Recite A Prayer and Galvin were both checked over by vets, while Hill Sixteen was killed in a separate incident during the race. The news was confirmed by the Jockey Club, who provided an update on their health after the race.
"Sadly, while racing in the Grand National, Hill Sixteen sustained an unrecoverable injury. Our sincere sympathies are with connections. Recite A Prayer and Cape Gentleman were assessed on course by our skilled veterinary staff and walked on to the horse ambulance for further assessment in the stables," a statement read.
Galvin's trainer Gordon Elliott confirmed the horse had received medical attention and undergone an X-ray. Recite A Prayer meanwhile was left with a fractured eye socket and cuts and bruises.
The North West Ambulance Service confirmed they had treated a spectator after the incident. The Service said in a statment: "We can confirm the female patient was hit and crushed against a concrete bollard by a stray horse. She was taken to hospital for lower leg injuries."
Saturday's race was won by Corach Rambler after heavy disruption delayed the start of the race. Protesters from Animal Rising were able to invade the course and attempted to glue themselves to one of the fences.
They were removed by police and security teams, with more than 100 people arrested after action both at Aintree and away from the racecourse.
Mirror Sport has contacted the Jockey Club for comment.
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