3 years ago
WELLINGTON, FL (AP) -- A polo player has died after an accident during a practice game in the run-up to the Stanford U.S. Open, a spokeswoman for his ranch said Friday.
Skeeter Johnston, 53, was flown to Delray Beach Medical Center late Wednesday to relieve swelling in his brain after he was thrown from his horse while riding on a private farm in Wellington.
He died Thursday night, said Jill Switzer, office manager of the Flying H Polo Club in Big Horn, Wyo., where Johnston lived and practiced during the summer.
Switzer would not describe how the accident occurred or the extent of Johnston's injuries. Flying H manager Martin MacCarty did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Steve Delai said his department responded to the call on Wednesday that "a polo player had been thrown from and then crushed or rolled over on by his horse." Delai said he could not release further details because of privacy laws.
Johnston, whose birth name was Summerfield Johnston III, was the son of Summerfield Johnston Jr., former CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. He was in the area preparing for the Stanford U.S. Open to be held later this month at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Associated Press