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29
Nov
Man crushed by horse near Harrogate to recall ordeal on TV tonight
A man who was crushed by a horse near Harrogate, will share his story on television tonight (November 29).
Experienced rider Joe Billingham, 34, was exercising a horse, named Lolli, at an outdoor riding arena at Windmill Farm in Beckwithshaw when it unexpectedly reared and fell backwards, crushing him in the process.
The impact left him in excruciating pain, unable to move or feel his legs, and struggling to breathe. Concerned witnesses called 999 and local paramedics, who were first to arrive at the scene, requested backup from Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Already airborne and returning to its RAF Topcliffe base after completing a nearby mission, the air ambulance crew diverted to the incident and its paramedics Leanne and Terri-Ann joined the land paramedics.
Initial assessments revealed Joe couldn’t move from the waist down and was experiencing numbness and tingling in his legs, prompting serious concerns among the medical team.
Joe being assisted by paramedics
Leanne said:
He couldn’t move his legs and was describing symptoms that immediately raised red flags for a spinal injury.
Terri-Ann added:
Horse-related incidents can cause a range of injuries, from broken bones to serious crush injuries. Helicopters can unsettle unpredictable animals like horses, so It’s vital we approach these situations carefully, making sure they’re safely put away before we land.
Morphine given
The team administered a high dose of morphine to alleviate Joe’s severe pain and decided to move him from the cold ground to the privacy and warmth of the land ambulance for further assessment.
Using a Kendrick Extrication Device (KED), they immobilised Joe, ensuring his back remained straight and his neck stable during the transfer.
Once inside the ambulance, Joe was able to move his toes, offering a hopeful sign.
Following on-scene care, the air ambulance crew worked with local paramedics to arrange his transfer by land ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary for further scans and treatment.
At the hospital, X-rays revealed that Joe had not suffered a spinal fracture, but he had broken eight ribs in the fall.
Joe in the ambulance
He spent three days in hospital recovering and is continuing his rehabilitation at home.
Joe said:
As a horse rider, you never think these things will happen to you. I’ve ridden horses for three decades, but it all happened so quickly. I can’t thank the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team enough for the incredible care they gave me that day—they made a frightening experience so much more manageable.
Terri-Ann said:
There’s a lot of protective gear that horse riders wear, but if they aren’t wearing it, the injuries can be much worse when they fall. Thankfully, Joe was wearing his safety gear, which likely prevented even more serious injuries. We’re so pleased to learn he’s making a good recovery.
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The episode also follows the air ambulance team as it responds to other emergencies, including an elderly woman that had fallen from a ladder in her garden, a cyclist that came off his bike breaking 14 bones including his neck and a 12-year-old boy that fell from a motorcross bike requiring emergency surgery.
You can watch the latest episode of Yorkshire Air 999 tonight on Quest at 9pm.
Joe in recovery
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