Horse team driver recovering

SANDPOINT - The driver of a horse team who was ejected from his wagon Sept. 21 while competing in the Idaho State Draft Horse & Mule International Show is recovering from non-life-threatening injuries.

The mishap occurred after the show's four-up driving competition at the Bonner County Fairgrounds.

The four-horse team apparently got spooked and became runaways after leaving the main outdoor arena. The wagon held the driver and several other people.

"The driver was ejected from the carriage," said Bonner County EMS spokesman Bob Abbott.

There were conflicting reports about how the passengers left the wagon, with some contending they were tossed out and others saying they managed to leave on their own.

The wagon was reportedly destroyed entirely.

None of the passengers were injured, although the driver was taken to Bonner General Health for treatment and was later transferred to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane

Abbott said the driver was taken to Sacred Heart because the man lives in that area, not for the severity of his injuries.