Swaney hurt in Pa. fair race accident

A nasty-looking spill marred the sixth race at the Lycoming County Fair in north-central Pennsylvania Thursday, 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 alright but seemed disoriented, and he was taken to nearby Muncy Hospital.