A TEENAGER who was crushed by her horse after it became “spooked” and bolted into the path of a passing car is in a poorly but stable condition in hospital.

Police say that Alice Roberts, 14, of Hornby, held on to the mane of her friend’s horse as it ran from the yard at Rye Close Farm, Claughton, and was struck by a passing Range Rover.

It is believed the year ten pupil at the Lancaster Lancaster Girls' Grammar School had been preparing the horse for a show when the accident happened on the A683 Hornby Road on Saturday afternoon.

The stallion, which belonged to farmer Michael Thomas and Hornby Primary School teacher Rachel Thomas, was badly injured and had to be destroyed at the scene.

Police say that Alice’s injuries were sustained by the horse landing on top of her.

She was taken by North West Air Ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital and later transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

She underwent 12 hours of surgery on Sunday and remains on a ventilator in a poorly but stable condition.

The teenager has a paper round at Wenning Store where a spokesman described her as a very well known and loved member of the community.

"We are all very shocked by what’s happened,” she said.

“Alice and her family are very well known round here and it has hit everybody hard.

“Alice loves horses. We are all devastated this has happened.”

A spokeswoman from Lancashire Police said: “Police are investigating the incident but it is believed it was just a tragic accident.”

A statement from the family said: “We are very grateful for all the messages of support from family friends and neighbours especially those from Alice’s friends who will be so important to her during the later stage of her recovery”.

Anyone with information should contact Lancashire Police on 08451-253545.