Four-year-old boy 'crushed to death by horse' on family farm

The boy died from his injuries shortly after being rushed to hospital. Police are not treating the death as suspicious

The boy was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries shortly after arriving (Flickr/Ray Forster)

A four-year-old boy has died after reportedly being crushed by a horse at his family’s farm in Scotland.

The boy, named locally as Matthew Young, was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries shortly after arriving.

The death, which is not being treated as suspicious, happened at Kypehall Farm, near Lesmahagow in South Lanarkshire on Thursday afternoon.

Reports have suggested that the boy’s mother witnessed the accident, which is thought to have occurred when a horse lost its balance and fell on the child.

A person familiar with the family told The Scottish Sun: "Matthew's mum was there when it happened, so it must have been horrifying for her.

"They're a lovely family, and all love horses, so it's particularly difficult that he was killed by one."

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "A four-year-old boy has died following an incident involving a horse at his family's farm in Lesmahagow on Thursday, January 2.

"He was taken by ambulance to Wishaw General Hospital but died from his injuries a short time later.

"A post-mortem examination will be held in due course to establish the exact cause of death.

"However, the death is not being treated as suspicious."