Woman crushed by falling horse

A woman has been airlifted to hospital after suffering a riding injury.

A woman has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after a horse fell on her while she was riding in the Bay of Plenty today.

The 45-year-old woman was riding with a group in the Rotokawa area, north of Taupo, when the horse tripped while jumping a fence.

Despite receiving numerous injuries when the horse fell on her, the woman had a lucky escape as the animal landed on her legs, Youthtown Trust Rescue Helicopter Pilot Hendry de Waal said.

She was flown to Waikato Hospital, where she was under assessment in the emergency department tonight.

- NZPA