A falling tree limb hit a horse-drawn wagon at Lazy 5 Ranch on Saturday and three riders fell off. The ranch says it is its first wagon accident to need an overnight hospital stay.

Three people were taken to the hospital Saturday after they fell from a horse-drawn wagon at Lazy 5 Ranch, the drive-thru animal park at 15100 Mooresville Road.

A limb from a nearby tree fell and struck the side of the wagon during a ride, the ranch said. The horses jumped, and three passengers fell from the wagon. EMS took all three to local hospitals “for further evaluation and treatment.”

The ranch confirmed the accident in a news release Saturday, which WHKY carried in full. Everything in this story comes from that release and from the ranch’s own website.

What the ranch said

The release said:

  • the other passengers were unharmed or declined medical help
  • the wagon driver “is doing well”
  • the horses were checked, were unharmed and have gone back to work
  • more than 3 million guests have taken its wagon rides over the ranch’s history
  • this is the first accident in that history to put riders in the hospital overnight

“We are saddened to confirm a tragic accident,” the ranch said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this incident.”

It said it weighs the design of its equipment, driver training, the choice of horses and the upkeep of its roads every day. “We are well aware of the risk involved,” the release said. “The safety and well-being of our visitors, staff, and animals remain our highest priority.”

What we do not know yet

The release did not say how badly the three riders were hurt, how many people were on the wagon or how old the riders were. It did not name the hospitals.

It also did not say whether wagon rides will run as normal this week. It said only that the horses “returned to work.”

Iredell County’s news page had posted no statement about the accident by Sunday afternoon. We will update this story if the ranch or a public agency releases more.

What it means for you

Lazy 5 Ranch is in the middle of its Fall Festival, which its website lists from Oct. 3 to Nov. 1, with pumpkin picking and games.

  • Wagon rides: the ranch’s website says weekday wagon rides need a reservation at 704-663-5100, and weekend rides are first come, first served. Call before you go to check whether rides are running.
  • Drive-thru: general admission covers the drive-thru in your own car and the walk-around petting area. The wagon ride is an add-on to that ticket.
  • Hours: the website lists 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, with last entry at 4 p.m. The ranch takes cash only.

For more family outings, see our kids’ activities guide and things to do in Mooresville this month.