A toddler who died during a hunt fell off her pony when it became "spooked", it has been reported.
The two-year-old girl was taking part in The Bedale Hunt at Kirkby Fleetham, Hambleton, North Yorkshire, when she was thrown from the animal.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Wednesday following reports that a child had fallen from a horse.
The girl was taken to hospital where she tragically died from her injuries.
A resident living in the nearby village of Hambleton told the MailOnline that the toddler's family saw the fall.
One said: "All we can think of is that something must have spooked the horse."
Another said: "The timing of the accident chimes with when we heard the hunting horn.
"I understand there were three horses with a toddler and a very young toddler. The young one must have slipped off."
He said the girl's death was a "terrible, terrible tragedy" and that the entire village "is shocked".
Officials at the Bedale Hunt said members are "devastated."
In a statement, a spokesman said: "We can confirm that a tragic accident happened on Wednesday, 15th September, when a two-year-old girl fell from her pony and subsequently lost her life.
"As a community we are all completely devastated but are pulling together to support the family involved.
"Our sincere condolences go to all those affected and we urge that everybody respects the family's privacy during what is a very distressing time."
North Yorkshire Police say they are preparing a file for the coroner.
A spokesman said about the fall: "It occurred at 8am on Wednesday (15 September 2021) and the girl died at hospital during the early hours of Thursday.
"The girl's family are receiving specialist support while enquiries are ongoing into the incident.
"Police request that the family's privacy is respected at this very difficult time."
