A 12-year-old cowgirl has died after her horse collapsed on top of her during a barrel race in Missouri.
Ruth Walter, who organized Saturday’s barrel race to benefit veterans, said Kalee Chandler’s horse crashed into the gates and pinned her to the ground, a local Fox News affiliate reported.
Toni Samples, a longtime family friend of Kalee’s, said it was some time before people were able to lift the horse off of her.
“We tried to get her out from underneath the horse, because Kalee was underneath him,” Mr. Samples said. “Then they finally got her out from underneath him, the saddle off, and they pulled her out, and she was pretty lifeless.”
The 12-year-old was transported by ambulance to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City where she later died.
Media reports indicated that the horse — which also died — suffered from a heart attack, The Kansas City Star reported.
“At the end of the run, the horse had a medical issue and hit the fence,” said Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson.
Members of the community posted messages remembering Kalee on social media, with some using the hashtag #cowgirlupforKalee, The Star reported.
The Kalee Chandler Love Fund was set up established to help the family with medical and funeral expenses.
There will be a vigil in her honor Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., at the Bates County Fairgrounds in Butler, where Kalee was from, Fox News reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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