Local
Mooresville ranch says wagon safety remains a priority after fatal fall
An 80-year-old woman died after she and two other passengers were thrown from a horse-drawn wagon at Lazy 5 Ranch on Oct. 17. The ranch says a falling tree limb startled the horses and that it is reviewing the risks involved in wagon rides.
LAZY 5 RANCH, N.C. — Lazy 5 Ranch said Friday that visitor safety remains a priority after an 80-year-old woman died from injuries sustained when she fell from a horse-drawn wagon at the Mooresville attraction.
The crash happened Oct. 17 during a wagon ride, according to the ranch. Officials said a tree limb fell and hit the side of the wagon, startling the horses and throwing three passengers off. All three were hospitalized. The woman suffered serious head trauma and died several days later, her family said.
Her son, Eddie Quesenberry, said in a Facebook post that his mother was an organ donor. He wrote that her generosity offered comfort to the family during a painful time. A fundraiser he started seeks help with medical expenses for his mother and his aunt, who was also injured in the fall. The conditions of the aunt and the third passenger have not been made public.
In a statement Friday, the ranch said it was saddened by the accident and extended its concern to those affected and their families. It said the horses were evaluated, found unharmed and returned to work.
The ranch said this was the first horse-drawn wagon incident in its history to result in an overnight hospital stay. It reported that nearly 3 million guests have taken wagon rides since the ranch opened in 1993.
“We are well aware of the risk involved,” a spokesperson said, adding that the ranch works to reduce risks through equipment design, driver education, horse selection and road maintenance. The ranch said it would continue to take responsibility for guest safety seriously.