A WOMAN has been airlifted to hospital after being thrown from a horse in the New Forest.

She was badly injured when she was thrown from her mount in a remote area of the New Forest on Friday.

The incident happened at Silver Sands, about a mile from the Burley to Thorney Hill road.

The rider was seen by dog walkers trying to control her horse on a steep slope before being thrown to the ground.

They raised the alarm and South Central Ambulance sent several units to the scene including an off-road vehicle and a critical care team.

They gathered at the Burbush car park with a Wiltshire Air Ambulance landing close-by.

The middle-aged woman received on-scene treatment before being flown to hospital.

It is believed the rider has broken her hip.

The horse ran about two miles before being caught unharmed near Thorney Hill Crossroads.

An eye witness reported it was running at great speed in the middle of the road.