A THREE-YEAR-OLD has been killed in a tragic accident at a harness horse racing event in Canada.
The horror incident happened when the boy was hit by a starting gate.
The gate was being towed by a pickup truck at Connell Park Raceway in Woodstock, New Brunswick.
Footage of the race was posted on YouTube and the chilling moment the incident occurred could be heard.
The truck towing the starting gate was leading horses round the track.
The method is used to begin races in harness events.
And just when the announcer said, “there they go,” a loud noise was heard.
Audio briefly cut out while jockeys turned to see what had happened.
Screams could be heard in the background as the race started.
The announcer then said, “We need an ambulance, call an ambulance please to the grandstand folks.
“If there’s a doctor on the grounds anywhere to the grandstand please right away.”
Reports in Canada said the three-year-old was rushed to hospital but couldn’t be saved.
He was named as Gunnar Dickison, and Connell Park Raceway sent a tribute on Facebook saying, “Love you always Gunnar.”
Deputy chief Simon Watts from Woodstock Police issued a statement at a press conference.
He said, “It does appear, based on the initial information from some people that we’ve got, that it is a tragic accident.
“We know nowadays, everyone’s got a cellphone camera.
“So if we can obviously get clarification on where the incident actually took place and the details of it.
“And there’s a few questions with regard to closeness of the gate.”
It’s unclear if anyone will face charges over the tragic accident.
But an investigation has been launched by the New Brunswick Coroner’s Service and the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission.
Horse racing New Brunswick president Mitchell Downey said, “The entire racing community is deeply saddened by the tragic events of June 14.
“On behalf of all our participants, we wish to express our deepest sympathies.
“We also ask everyone to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.”
