Woman Flown to Cottage Hospital After Falling Off Horse in Santa Barbara Back Country

Emergency personnel with the Los Padres National Forest Service and Santa Barbara County Fire Department responded to an injured horse rider near the Upper Oso Campground area in the Santa Barbara back country just after 1 p.m. Friday.

A 45-year-old woman fell from her horse after the horse became spooked, said Santa Barbara County Fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni.

Initial reports indicated the injured woman had fallen about 30 feet down a ravine.

According to emergency radio traffic, medics on scene treated the 45-year-old for severe head trauma but was conscious and breathing.

Zaniboni says the unidentified woman was taken to a nearby landing zone by ambulance where she was flown to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with moderate injuries.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue was initially dispatched to the scene but was cancelled.

No other details were immediately available.