Several injured in crash involving horse-drawn carriage

Metro Wire Staff

Four people riding in a horse-drawn carriage were injured following a two-vehicle collision in the Town of Carson on Monday.

Emergency crews were called to County Hwy. P near Clover Rd. at 4:12 p.m. on Aug. 30 when a caller reported the crash. First responders quickly summoned two life-flight helicopters but they were later called off.

According to information released by the Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office, a horse-drawn carriage carrying seven people was traveling west on County Hwy. P when it was struck from behind by a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, also traveling west.

The operator of the carriage was a 34-year old woman from the Town of Eau Pleine. Her six passengers were children ranging in ages from 11 months to 13 years.

The motorist was a 49-year-old man from Marathon Co. The identities of those involved are not being released at this time.

Four occupants of the carriage, including the driver, suffered injuries, but they are not considered life-threatening. They were transported by ambulance to Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield. Sheriff Mike Lukas said.

The driver of the Equinox was not injured.

“I was told the horse had some scrapes and cuts but was otherwise okay; that’s the last I heard,” Lukas said in a follow-up interview on Tuesday.

Portage County Ambulance, Wisconsin State Patrol, Rudolph Fire & Rescue, and Rudolph Emergency Medical Responders, also responded to the scene. 

Lukas said the crash remains under investigation.