A man was trampled by a stampede of horses after attempting to cross a track seconds before the race got underway.
The shocking incident took place at Carlisle Racecourse on Thursday afternoon with the groundstaff member requiring medical attention having been left motionless on the grass.
A second after he began to cross the track, the flag for the 5:05pm race was waved with the field of 19 working up into a sprint as he stopped in his tracks.
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Unable to avoid him, jockeys continued on in the race with viewers left stunned and wondering about his health.
A spokesperson for Carlisle Racecourse said: "Following the start of today’s 5.05pm, a member of our team was attended to by the medical team at the start and received further assessment in the racecourse medical room.
"There are no indications he has any lasting injuries and he is in good spirits."
The man thankfully avoided serious injury after he was tasked with fitting tape for the start line moments before it was due to start.
Mike Smith-trained Euchan Fall looked to make contact with the staff member before continuing on in the race.
The race was won by Phil Kirby-trained Zwicky who secured consecutive wins under under Sean Quinlan.
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The stewards' report read: "An inquiry was held to consider the circumstances as to why a member of groundstaff had crossed the track at the start as the race was started, resulting in him being knocked over by Euchan Falls.
"The clerk of the course, the member of groundstaff, the starters and Gavin Sheehan, the rider of Euchan Falls, were interviewed."
Harry Phipps, clerk of the course, has said: "One of our members of groundstaff made an attempt to get across the track and was toppled over by a horse. However, he is fit and stable following the incident."
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