A nine-year-old Amish girl from Pennsylvania tragically lost her life after being dragged by a spooked horse on a farm in Salisbury Township, Lancaster County. The tragic incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024, has left the community in shock.
The girl, whose name has not been disclosed, was training the horse when the accident occurred. “She had a lead wrapped around her wrist when the horse became spooked and took off, dragging her about a quarter of a mile,” said Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, the Lancaster County Coroner.
“She was taken to Lancaster General Hospital, where she later died from multiple traumatic injuries,” Diamantoni stated. The coroner’s office concluded that the cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries, and it was classified as an accident.
This was the second farm-related accident that claimed the life of a young Amish person in Lancaster County in June. A three-year-old boy in Christiana was killed in a barn on June 3 when he touched ventilation machinery.
According to Lancaster Newspapers/LancasterOnline, the county has more farm-related deaths than any other county in the state of Pennsylvania, with children often being the victims. Since 2000, the county has experienced between one and seven farm-related deaths annually, with children being the most common victims.
The article also noted that, since 2016, children aged five or younger make up 13 of the 25 farm-related deaths reported by Lancaster newspapers, with teenagers and young children comprising six additional fatalities.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the Lancaster County community will undoubtedly come together to support the grieving family and honor the memory of the young Amish girl whose life was cut short.