A seven-year-old second grade student at Helena Elementary School died tragically Saturday morning from serious injuries she suffered when she was dragged by a horse.

Melanie Leann Throckmorton, 7, of 145 Acey Reaves Rd. died following the accident that took place just after 9:30 a.m. Saturday at 205 Marvin Gill Rd.

According to a Person County Sheriff’s Department incident report, Melanie was feeding horses at a pen near the Marvin Gill Road residence, where her grandparents live, and she had tied a horse lead around her waistline.

The horse reportedly became spooked and began running with the child still attached to the lead.

“The horse traveled a long distance through the pasture/yard and then down the pavement on Marvin Gill Road before it was stopped near the residence where the child was removed,” the report read.

Melanie was reportedly unconscious when deputies, first responders and Person County EMS arrived on the scene.

Person County EMS personnel first took the injured child to Person Memorial Hospital for stabilization before she was to be transferred by medical helicopter to Duke University Medical Center. According to the report, however, Melanie died from her injuries before the helicopter arrived.

Person County Schools Supt. Dr. Larry W. Cartner told The Courier-Times Tuesday that “the staff at Helena has done a wonderful job of taking care of the students and the [Throckmorton] family.

“The Helena Elementary School family has shared in the grief of the Throckmorton family over the past days,” Cartner said. “The loss of student life through any circumstance is always a tragically bitter thing to accept.

“Until we are in the midst of a tragedy like this, we may take for granted those who serve so well in crisis,” Cartner added. “The staff at Helena has wrapped their arms around the entire second grade, around the Throckmorton family, and around all the other students at Helena.”

According to Cartner, Helena principal Dr. Kay Allen, along with the school’s crisis team met Sunday afternoon to develop plans to assist the Helena staff Monday.

“The Crisis Team developed plans that were given to each classroom teacher to help them share the news in an age appropriate way,” Cartner said. “The district crisis team was in place on Monday morning with approximately six additional personnel to help students and staff deal with their grief.

“I want to thank those staff members who shared in this burden, as well as the many parents who came out on Monday to volunteer in classrooms,” Cartner continued. “We will certainly keep the Throckmorton family and the children and staff of Helena Elementary School in our prayers.”

Among Melanie Throckmorton’s survivors are her parents, Larry Michael Throckmorton of Sanford and Amanda Ann Culley Throckmorton and Dan Walker of Roxboro and a brother, Luke Carter Throckmorton, 5, of Roxboro.

A funeral service was held Tuesday afternoon at Gateway Baptist Church.

A memorial fund for Melanie has been established at Fidelity Bank in Roxboro by H. Dean Brooks, vice president/Northern Division of MasTec Energy Services, where her mother is employed.

Contributions can be sent to: The Melanie Throckmorton Memorial Fund, c/o The Fidelity Bank, P.O. Box 208, Roxboro, N.C. 27573 or to: Brandy Lynch, c/o MasTec Energy Services, 362 Old Durham Rd., Roxboro, N.C. 27573.