12-year-old killed at rodeo after horse trips and falls

From WCNC TV Charlotte - Coverage by Tony Burbeck / NewsChannel 36, WCNC.com, Posted on May 30, 2011 at 5:33 PM, Updated May, 31, 2011 at 7:21 AM

CHESTER, S.C. -- A 12-year-old girl from Chester died in a rodeo accident over the holiday weekend.

In memory of Lauren McKenzie Mathias
picture with her horse Socks

Lauren McKenzie Mathias was in a competition when her horse stumbled and fell her.  She died from head trauma.

"We don't blame anybody, not even blame the horse,” Regina Mathias said.  “It was an accident.”

McKenzie had severe head trauma and a collapsed lung.

Lying in a hospital bed, mom and dad say McKenzie wasn't thinking about her injuries.  She wanted to know about the horse.

"I said, ‘McKenzie, the horse is ok.’  Because I knew that was her big concern laying there with her little broken body,” Regina Mathias said.

She wanted to make sure her parents were ok too.

"She knew we were in there.  She waited on me to walk out. I was the last one to leave and she waited on me

 to leave before she flat lined,” John Mathias said.

Before she died, there was one more talk about her beloved Bible and her faith.

"I said, ‘McKenzie, if you want to go live with Jesus, mommy and daddy are going to be ok,’” Regina Mathias said.

“And we're ok,” John Mathias said.

"I know my baby is with Jesus, I know my baby is with Jesus, no doubt in my mind,” Regina Mathias said.

McKenzie Mathias’ funeral is Wednesday in Chester.  Four horses will lead her casket to the cemetery, including her favorite horse Socks.

Read full article at: http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/12-year-old-who-died-at-rodeo-loves-horses-122837074.html

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12-year-old girl, Lauren McKenzie Mathias, killed at S.C. rodeo after horse falls and crushes her

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/05/30/2011-05-30_12yearold_girl_lauren_mckenzie_mathias_dies_at_sc_rodeo_after_horse_falls_crushi.html#ixzz1NxlWkqAh

12-Year-Old Girl Dies When Horse Falls at South Carolina Rodeo

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/29/12-year-old-girl-dies-horse-falls-south-carolina-rodeo/#ixzz1NxmOPZLR

Family Remembers Daughter Who Loved Horses
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/28073790/detail.html?sms_ss=facebook&taf=char

12-year-old girl dies when horse falls at SC rodeo
http://www.abc27.com/story/14747104/12-year-old-girl-dies-when-horse-falls-at-sc-rodeo

Hundreds of people who knew Lauren McKenzie Mathias formed a line of vehicles as far as the eye could see for the 12-year-old's funeral procession through downtown Chester on Wednesday afternoon. Leading the procession was a carriage drawn by two black horses taking McKenzie to her final resting place.

Amid tears at Chester 12-year-old's funeral, a positive message

Read more June 2, 2011: http://www.heraldonline.com/2011/06/02/3114780/a-celebration-of-mckenzies-spirit.html#ixzz1PFPPmrI0

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/06/02/2343927/a-celebration-of-mckenzies-spirit.html#ixzz1PFS5x5RA