PLATO TOWNSHIP – A St. Charles woman was killed Monday after an out-of-control horse trampled her and two of her family members.
Kane County Sheriff's police at first reported a woman from Germany died in the accident, but a relative of the victims confirmed this morning that 66-year-old Margaret Goldenstein of St. Charles passed away.
Police responded about 4 p.m. Monday to 9N467 Kendall Road in Plato Township after a horse trampled the three women.
Police said Charlotte Anna VonHarling, 19, of Hamburg, Germany, was riding a horse in the open field when at some point she was unable to control the horse and it ran into her family members - Goldenstein and Renate Saeger, 76, also of Germany, who were standing in the field.
The impact of the horse caused Goldenstein and Saeger to be thrown backwards and VonHarling was thrown from the horse, her foot became entangled in the saddle and she was dragged about 20 feet, police said.
Goldenstein and Saeger, who are cousins, were taken to Provena St. Joseph Hospital, where Goldenstein was pronounced dead and Saeger was listed in critical condition.
Saeger was later taken to Rockford Memorial Hospital, where she was upgraded to serious condition this morning, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
VonHarling, Saeger's granddaughter, was treated and released for non life-threatening injuries at Sherman Hospital in Elgin.
Goldenstein's sister, Catherine Goldenstein, said Saeger and VonHarling were in town for a family reunion and decided to go riding.
"The horse was in full gallop and she couldn't stop it," Catherine Goldenstein said.
Margaret Goldenstein was a retired physical therapist who worked at Delnor Hospital in Geneva. She lived on Silver Glen Road with her sister.
Funeral arrangements were pending.
Check KCChronicle.com for updates and read more in Wednesday's Chronicle.