Accident at Junior Riders has Woodside abuzz Accident at Junior Riders has Woodside abuzz (August 31, 2005)

By Andrea Gemmet

Almanac Staff Writer

An accident that injured a 10-year-old girl in the Junior Riders program is stirring up concern about horse safety and emergency procedures among members of Woodside's tight-knit equestrian community.

The girl, who is not being named by the Almanac to protect her privacy, was leading a horse ridden by a beginning rider around the ring at the John Kiely Equestrian Center on Tripp Road on August 11.

She attempted to slow down the horse by stepping in front of it, and was knocked down and stepped on, according to Nelly Emmerson, the president of the Junior Riders, a 10-week-long English riding summer camp

"It hit hard enough that the girl ended up with a punctured lung and a broken rib," Ms. Emmerson said.

After she was hurt, the girl stood up and walked about halfway out of the ring with assistance, and then was carried out the rest of the way by the instructor, Jennifer Godoi, Ms. Emmerson said. At no time was she unconscious, she said. Paramedics with the Woodside Fire Protection District treated her at the scene and took her to Stanford Hospital.

The fact that the child was moved before the extent of her injuries were known is troubling many parents, according to a Woodside resident who called the Almanac. Ms. Emmerson said she's aware that rumors have been flying around Woodside about the extent of the girl's injuries and whether moving her put her at risk of further harm.

Ms. Godoi said that she is familiar with first-aid procedures, and her assistant is an emergency medical technician in training. Because there were a number of other children and horses in the ring at the time, and because the girl did not lose consciousness and wanted to get up, she allowed her to do so, she said.

"If the child stands up, I ask her to leave the ring. With animals around, it's just safer that way," said Ms. Godoi. "She did stand up, so I thought it was OK to move her, and then I asked her to lay flat outside the arena."

Captain Dan Ghiorso of the Woodside fire district was one of the paramedics called to the scene.

"If it was me, I would not have had her get up," he said. "If they're in harm's way, then absolutely you have to move them, like if they're in traffic and it won't stop. But if you can stop the traffic or get it to go around (the accident scene), then leave them there."

With any head or neck injury, moving the victim could result in paralysis, and the only way to positively rule out a head or neck injury is by taking X-rays, said Battalion Chief Armando Muela, who coordinates Woodside fire's emergency medical services.

Capt. Ghiorso said that, while there were more people gathered around the hurt girl than he would've liked, they were doing a good job of consoling her and keeping her calm. One of paramedics' concerns was determining how hard of a blow the horse had delivered.

"That's why it would've been nice to be at the scene. You can tell from the imprint how hard of an impact it was," he said.

One week after the accident, after a three-day stay in the hospital, the girl returned to Junior Riders and rode her horse with the full consent of her doctor, Ms. Emmerson said. All Junior Riders participants have been reminded of safety rules, especially on the importance of not stepping in front of a horse, she said.

Mr. Muela said that in emergency situations, people should always call 911 rather than the fire station directly. In medical emergencies, dispatchers can send out paramedics and then transfer callers to someone skilled in giving emergency medical advice over the phone, he said.
INFORMATION

Residents of the Woodside Fire Protection District can take free first-aid classes held monthly at the Woodside Road fire station and CPR classes held three times a year. Call 851-1594 for information.

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