Horse Throws Woman After Being Spooked by Swarm of Bees

70-year old female horseback rider injured and rescued on the Pacific Crest Trail‏.

Photos courtesy: Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - A 70-year old female horseback rider was thrown and injured when her horse was spooked by a swarm of bees on the Pacific Crest Trail Sunday, according to Jim Strovink with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

He says it happened Sunday at approximately 3:30 p.m., as 5 females were riding horses on the Pacific Crest Trail, near the Twin Lakes trail. A swarm of bees spooked the horse,and Strovink says it is likely that one of the animals stepped on a nest of bees along the trail. The victim in this case, 70-year old Donna Tewksbury of Scappoose, and her horse, fell to the ground after the horse reared.

"While the horse was attempting to stand erect -- it unintentionally stepped on the victim's abdomen. Tewksbury also sustained minor injuries to her wrist during this incident," Strovink said.

"Tewksbury was conscious, but couldn't move from the rocky area of the trail. A friend and riding companion of the victim, Alicia Smith, began riding for help toward the Frog Lake parking lot and along the way she met some hikers on the trail."

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He says Smith was able to use a cell phone provided by one of the hikers to call 911 and summon emergency help. "In addition, these same hikers stopped to assist the victim while keeping her comfortable and allowing use of their cell phone for additional communications." The horse was not injured as a result of this incident, Strovink added. An American Medical Response RAT team reached the victim first. Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue personnel helped package the patient and pack her out to the trail head- an estimated 2 miles according to Strovink. Mountain Wave communications and their 4x4 group also assisted during this rescue mission.

Life Flight responded to airlift the patient to Emanuel Hospital, at approximately 8:40 p.m. This patient was reported to be in stable condition.

The other ladies riding horses were Charlotte Degerness from Warren, Alicia Smith of Gresham, Kim Lennox of Scappoose, and Shirley Charlton from Scappoose.

Strovink also noted that a citizen hiker, 30-year old Jeshua Mills, helped out from a group of hikers.