Tay FM presenter Karen Ballingall thrown from horse
Police have warned drivers of the dangers of passing horses after a radio presenter was left injured when an off-road bike drove towards her at speed.
Karen Ballingall
- By Graeme Strachan
- Published in the Courier : 01.10.10
- Published online : 01.10.10 @ 11.52am
Karen Ballingall from Dundee, who presents a Sunday night show on Tay FM, suffered a suspected fractured coccyx and damaged ligaments in her knee when she was thrown off a horse and landed on a stone wall.
The driver of the bike failed to slow down, causing the horse to rear up and throw her off.
The driver did not stop and left the scene at about 1.15pm on Sunday on a road leading to Blairfield Steadings, Dronley Road in Birkhill.
Sergeant Gary Aitken said, "I want to remind drivers of the dangers and hazards when passing horses or horse drawn carts on the roads.
"Horses are potential hazards and care must be taken when passing them.
"Drivers must ensure they approach slowly and widely, providing the horse and rider with plenty of space to ensure the safety of the rider and others.
"Horses and vehicles both have a legal right to be on the road, however both horse riders and drivers need to be aware of each other and adapt their riding and driving behaviour accordingly."
The 25-year-old, who also works as a full-time field sales executive for D C Thomson & Co Ltd, was left in "agony" after Sunday's incident, but managed to complete her show before being forced to seek treatment at Ninewells Hospital the next day.
"The horse reared up and I fell off and landed on the wall," she said.
"Luckily I caught hold of the reins and managed to get up and calm the horse down."
Karen said she hoped the incident would draw attention to the recurring problem of quad bikers regularly driving illegally in the area.
Police have appealed for witnesses.
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