Injured man sends thanks to rescuers

A MAN who was seriously injured after falling from his horse on a Dunedin beach is ‘‘on the mend’’ and says the two boys who came to his aid were a godsend.

In a statement issued through the Southern District Health Board, David Hiom praised others who came to his aid after he fell from his horse on Ocean View Recreation Reserve about 1.30pm Tuesday.

‘‘It was a freak accident and neither myself or my horse were at fault.

‘‘Thankfully I am on the mend. ‘‘I just want to thank everyone who helped me yesterday.’’

He specifically thanked Jordan Taylor (13) and Caiden Spedding (10), who were walking on the beach and called emergency services after noticing he was in trouble.

‘‘Those two boys and a gentleman were a godsend and I can’t thank them enough.’’

He also thanked the emergency services, saying they were ‘‘second to none’’, Karen Washington for helping retrieve his horse and also Lynn Johnson.

‘‘What a wonderful community we live in.’’

A police spokeswoman said it appeared the man fell from his horse while riding near the hightide mark about 300m from the reserve.

CPR was performed on the man before a stretcher was used to carry him off the beach into a waiting ambulance.

St John spokeswoman Chrissy Hamilton said the man was taken to Dunedin Hospital with serious injuries.

❛ I just want to thank everyone who helped

me yesterday