A 77-YEAR-OLD man is being treated in hospital after his horse reared up and fell on top of him while out on a hunt.

Charles Williamson, who is from the Mid Suffolk area, suffered a fractured pelvis and abdominal injuries in the accident in Whatfield, near Hadleigh, shortly after 2pm, on Saturday.

Mr Williamson, a member of the Essex and Suffolk Hunt, was airlifted to hospital by the air ambulance after the accident and last night his condition was said to be “stable”.

He is due to undergo surgery for his injuries at the Norwich and Norfolk Hospital today. James Buckle, who was master of the hunt on the day, said: “We were just standing in a heap and his horse went up on his front legs and went over backwards.

“It is very sad and we are all upset about it. He is a lovely guy who has been hunting all his life. It was only the second day he had been hunting this season.

“He is a very popular member of the hunt and we wish him a very speedy recovery.”

Because of the isolated location of the accident, the East Anglian Air Ambulance was called out to help the patient.

The helicopter Anglia Two arrived on the scene at 2.33pm. The clinical crew of Dr Troels Hansen and East of England critical care paramedic Jemma Varela administered fluid therapy and applied splints to the patient, before he was flown to Ipswich Hospital.

The aircraft, piloted by captain Chris Sherriff, arrived at the hospital at 3.08pm.

Mr Williamson has now been transferred to the Norwich and Norfolk Hospital.

The Essex and Suffolk Hunt dates back to the 18th Century and members take part in regular hunts across the Suffolk countryside. Its kennels are based near Hadleigh.