Three file claims in incident involving spooked horse at fair

SEATTLE – Three people have filed tort claims seeking damages after a spooked horse bolted through a crowd at a Washington state fair, injuring five people.

The Chronicle in Centralia reported the claims were filed against the Lewis County Risk Management Department and each seeks between $2.5 million and $5 million.

A runaway horse and carriage bolted through the crowd in August at the Southwest Washington Fair in Centralia, 80 miles south of Seattle.

Documents show that John Morgan and his 4-year-old daughter, Helen, were injured as well as three others who suffered lesser injuries.

Morgan, his daughter and his wife, Emily, have all filed claims seeking compensation.

The owner of the horse, Carrie Swearingen, of Classic Carriages, has said a forklift drove by the animal, frightening it.

Lawyer for the county, John Justice, said the plan is to turn the claims over to the insurance company of Classic Carriages for handling.