GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – A freak accident during Sunday's horse races at Fonner Park has led to the death of three horses and the injury of three jockeys and the track's outrider.

According to Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak, on Sunday during the eight and final race of the day, two horses collided causing three jockeys and their horses to fall on the track.

At the end of the race, which continued, a riderless horse crashed into the horse of the track's outrider at full speed, severely injuring both horses.

Those two horses were euthanized due to their injuries, and one of the horses who took the initial fall in the race was pronounced dead believed to be from a broken neck due to the fall.

Two jockeys were treated and released for minor injuries. The third jockey and the outrider were hospitalized with serious, but non life threatening injuries.

“It makes me sick to my stomach to see any horse or its rider be involved in such a horrifying tragedy. Today’s accident was a stark reminder of the ever-present hazard of horseracing. The jockey’s and outrider were performing their dangerous professions, which the vast majority of the time ends without incident,” said Chris Kotulak, Fonner Park CEO. “I was pleased to see the incredibly quick reaction from all of the first responders. All of my staff, security and the emergency medical personnel did exactly what they have been trained to do.”