Crime & Safety
Canterbury Groom Dies of Injuries Suffered During September Accident
Jorge Ortega, 56, was injured on Sept. 12, when the horse he was handling suddenly reared back and pushed him into a wall.
A track worker has died of injuries resulting from an accident at Shakopee's Canterbury Park.
Jorge Ortega died on Monday at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, according to the Chanhassen Villager. The 56-year-old Laredo man was a licensed groom at the track. He was injured on Sept. 12 while handling the horse, Demidoffs Prospect. Ortega was going through a pre-saddling routine when the horse suddenly reared and pushed him into a wall.
Ortega is survived by his wife and daughter.
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“This was a tragic accident," said Canterbury Park CEO Randy Sampson. "Each summer trainers employ many dedicated workers in the stable area, and they all join our employees to become members of the extended Canterbury family. So we all feel the pain of this loss.”
The Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association has established a fund to aid the family, the Memorial Fund for Jorge Garcia Ortega through Voyager Bank, 500 Marschall Road, Shakopee, MN 55379.
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