Few details are being released about a tragic death connected to the Windsor Essex Therapeutic Riding Association.
The non-profit group issued a news release Wednesday, saying "we are heartbroken by the tragic event that occurred last night during the hay harvest, which resulted in the fatality of one of our farming partners."
Ministry of Labour Spokesperson Janet Deline says the ministry has been called in to investigate.
She says a worker was pinned by a piece of equipment and was rushed to hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.
Deline says an inspector from the ministry has been assigned to investigate the incident.
"Our inspectors will do a site visit and they'll determine if any orders that are required to bring the employer into compliance with our laws and regulations or they may issue some requirements depending what the inspector needs," says Deline.
She says the incident happened early Wednesday morning.
"We were notified earlier this morning of an incident at the Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association that's located in Essex," says Deline. "It was reported to us that a worker was pinned by a piece of equipment they were operating. The worker was transported to hospital where they unfortunately succumbed to their injuries. We do have a ministry inspector assigned and our investigation is on going."
Deline says investigators will do a site visit.
"They may also interview any witnesses if available or any other person at the site who may have information for the inspector," says Deline. "They could also inspect the equipment that was used to see if there was anything there."
The incident happened at the WETRA property on North Malden Road in Essex.
The OPP have not released any details about the incident, but CTV Windsor has learned the victim is a young man.
Executive Director Becky Mills writes "there is nothing more important to us than the safety of our staff, volunteers and farming partners, and we fully support the Ministry of Labour in its investigation into the incident."
Mills adds "we are saddened by this loss and our deepest sympathies go out to the family, the WETRA team and the farming community."
It's believed the victim was not an employee of WETRA, but the non-profit group says it is not commenting further on the incident.
CTV Windsor has also learned several farmers from the area returned to the WETRA property on Wednesday to finish the hay harvest in support of the victim and the group.
Statement from the Windsor Essex Therapeutic Riding Association, July 10, 2019
— With files from AM800's Rob Hindi & Manny Paiva