Child, 4, dies after horse falls on him

A child has died in a “horrifying” accident involving a horse on a farm in South Lanarkshire.

The four-year-old boy, named as Matthew, died at his family’s farm in Lesmahagow on Thursday.

The animal stumbled and fell onto the youngster in front of his mother, Margaret Young, according to a report in a national newspaper yesterday.

The youngster was taken to a hospital in Wishaw, where medics tried to save him.

However, their efforts were unsuccessful and he died shortly after arriving.

A local resident said: “Matthew’s mum was there when it happened, so it must have been horrifying for her.

“They’re a lovely family, and all love horses, so it’s particularly difficult that he was killed by one.”

Police confirmed yesterday that they were not treating the death as suspicious.

A family friend told the newspaper: “Matthew was the youngest member of the family and was just starting to get into horses. His family absolutely loves horses.

“I think the horse has stumbled over the jump and landed on Matthew.

“It’s an absolute tragedy. Losing a son of this age is tragic.

“They’re a lovely family and doted on Matthew because he was the youngest. It’s absolutely devastating.”