by Gerry Connors, for the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Hughesville, PA — A nasty-looking spill marred the sixth race at the Lycoming County Fair in north-central Pennsylvania on Thursday, July 22, but early reports indicate that the driver, Dr. David Swaney, and trotter Green Card appeared to emerge not too much the worse for wear.

Green Card, a 2-year-old daughter of Tagliabue making only her third lifetime start, was racing in midpack of a spread-out field when she had equipment trouble and made a break. Swaney, 72, and a veterinarian, grabbed into her to steady her — but unfortunately the “equipment trouble” was a broken right line, with the subsequent left-hand turn propelling both horse and driver over a concrete barrier and into the infield, both stopping only a couple of yards away from the concrete judges stand. The rest of the field had time to avoid the trouble.

Other than a loss of some blood, Green Card looked to emerge relatively unscathed. Swaney, of New Wilmington Pa., said he felt all right but seemed disoriented, and he was taken to nearby Muncy Hospital.

In the usual show of fair horsemen “covering” for an unfortunate competitor, arrangements were quickly made to have a groom and a catch-driver for Swaney’s other horse in to go on the card, Hot Hot Broadway.

This report was written early Thursday afternoon, not so very long after the accident; any developments in the story will be covered by Jeff Zidek (the first person to reach — and greatly aid — the fallen Swaney) in his summary of Thursday’s racing.