Former Lake Placid student loses hand in UF accident

A 2010 Lake Placid High School graduate had her hand severed in a freak accident at the University of Florida's Equine Research Center, authorities said.

Courtney Mason, 18, who is now a UF student, was helping move one of the center's horses when the accident occurred on Aug. 21, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

Mason was reportedly in the passenger seat of a truck while the horse was being led alongside. A lead line attached to the animal was wrapped around the girl's left hand.

The horse became spooked and pulled away from the vehicle, severing the victim's hand, the MCSO said.

Deputies found the stray horse with both the lead line and the hand still attached.

"The hand was extremely mangled," said Miranda Iglesias, public information officer for Marion County Fire and Rescue. "Most of the lead line was still attached."

Iglesias said responders had to cut the majority of the rope from the hand before they could put it in a bag to take to the hospital.

She added that Mason was alert on the way to UF's Shands Hospital, but in shock over what had happened.

"She wasn't crying," Iglesias said. "She handled it very well and acted very brave about it."

Iglesias had no information Friday as to whether doctors were able to reattach the hand.

Hospital representatives said they no longer had Mason on file when called for a patient condition update.

Randy Gornto, interim county extension director for Highlands County, said he had received an update on Wednesday about Mason's condition.

He said she had been in surgery, but doctors weren't sure how much of the damage would end up being permanent.