State Fair of Texas Guest Hit by Dallas Police Horse – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

A State Fair of Texas attendee was hospitalized Tuesday after being struck by an out-of-control Dallas police horse.

The officer on the horse was thrown to the ground. It happened on the square where Big Tex stands.

Video from a witness provided to NBC 5 showed the aftermath: A crowd of police and first responders surrounded a State Fair of Texas visitor who was struck by a running police horse.

“You could see right outside the building that the officer was trying to gain control of the horse, but that didn’t happen,” said Kelly Bolen, a fair saleswoman who witnessed the incident.

Witnesses told NBC 5 that an officer came onto the square on horseback. Moments later, the animal flew into a crowd gathered in front of Big Tex, knocking the officer from his saddle.

“And when it got to Big Tex’s boot, the horse had jumped and that’s when the officer fell off and the patron was hit,” Bolen said.

Videos from people at the scene showed rescue workers treating the injured person on the ground.

A spokesman for the State Fair of Texas said the injured fairgoer was taken to the hospital and the official who was thrown from the horse was being evaluated for injuries.

Witnesses reported a frightening scene that took place in the middle of the exhibition grounds.

“At first we were a little bit like, what’s going on, is he chasing someone, what’s going on?” Bolen said. “I quickly realized that the horse had gotten spooked.”

NBC 5 reached out to the State Fair of Texas for response to the situation.

“The safety of all participants at the State Fair of Texas is our top priority,” a spokesperson responded. “We are deeply saddened that a fairgoer and an officer were injured and hope they make a full recovery soon.”