An afternoon of horse riding near Paddy’s Flats on Highway 66 took a horrific turn when a man was bucked from his horse.

According to EMS officials, at approximately 1:00 p.m. EMS crews responded to the area following reports of an injured man. The man had been accompanied by another rider who placed the emergency call.

Paramedics were unable to gain access to the man and STARS Air Ambulance was deployed.

The helicopter landed on Highway 66 at a location approximately three kilometres east of the Elbow Falls day use area. The STARS crew travelled by ATV to the patient's location, approximately 300 metres into the bush.

The patient, a 59-year-old man, was airlifted to hospital in critical condition. The nature of his injuries has not been released.