A two-year-old girl has died after falling from a pony at a hunt meeting in North Yorkshire.

       The child was was injured while riding with members of the Bedale Hunt at Kirby Fleetham on Wednesday morning.

       Yorkshire Air Ambulance attended the scene after the emergency services were called but the girl died in hospital in the early hours of Thursday.

       Officials at the Bedale Hunt said members are “completely devastated but pulling together” for the girl’s family.

       In a statement, a hunt spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a tragic accident happened on Wednesday, 15th September, when a two-year-old girl fell from her pony and subsequently lost her life.

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       “As a community we are all completely devastated but are pulling together to support the family involved.

       “Our sincere condolences go to all those affected and we urge that everybody respects the family’s privacy during what is a very distressing time.”

       A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “Police are compiling a report on behalf of the coroner following the tragic death of a two-year-old girl who was involved in a horse riding-related incident on land at Kirkby Fleetham, near Northallerton.

       “It occurred at around 8am on Wednesday and the girl died at hospital during the early hours of Thursday.

       “The girl’s family are receiving specialist support while enquiries are ongoing into the incident.

       “Police request that the family’s privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

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       The modern Bedale Hunt was formed in 2014 but traces its history back to the early 19th Century, when it was founded by William Vane, the 3rd Earl of Darlington. It celebrated its bicentenary in 2016.

       Additional reporting by agencies