Otago horse trainer dies after getting trapped under horse truck ramp

Steve Anderton with The Solitaire in 2013. Photo / ODT.

Respected horse racing trainer Steve Anderton has died in hospital today after suffering critical injuries in an accident at his family stables near Mosgiel yesterday.

Police tonight confirmed 43-year-old Mr Anderton had died at Dunedin Hospital.

Mr Anderton was found by his colleagues, seriously injured and trapped under a horse truck ramp, about 6am yesterday.

Senior Sergeant Ben Butterfield said the death had been referred to the coroner.

"The family have asked for privacy at this difficult time and will not be making any public comment."

Yesterday, Constable Jason Braid said the horse truck ramp ramp was hinged to the truck and served as a door in an upright position.

The ramp hydraulics appeared to have "malfunctioned" when Mr Anderton was preparing to lower the ramp to load horses to transport to Wingatui Racecourse for training.

The truck was owned by Mr Anderton and no horses were injured, Mr Braid said.

Mr Anderton was taken to Dunedin Public Hospital by ambulance in a critical condition, he said.

WorkSafe NZ was investigating.

Otago Racing Club chief executive Andre Klein yesterday said Mr Anderton was among the "backbone" of the Wingatui racing community and one of the most respected young trainers in New Zealand.

"Steve is regarded as one of the most professional trainers and a great bloke as well, a really, really good guy."

It was a "dark day" for the close-knit racing community, he said.