Vintner on the Mend Following Horse Riding Accident

Larry Saarloos (Photo: Facebook)

By edhat staff

Los Olivos vintner Larry Saarloos is recovering after surgery for injuries stemming from a horse-riding accident.

On Tuesday morning, Santa Barbara County Firefighters along with Search and Rescue teams responded to Hollister Ranch for a report of a fall victim.

Crews stated they located a male in his 70’s approximately 100 yards down a ravine. Due to the difficulty for crews on the ground to access the victim, a helicopter was utilized. The victim was then flown to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with critical injuries.

Saarloos, of Saarloos & Sons winery, was then flown to UCLA Medical Center to receive surgery for a broken neck, according to a video posted by his son Keith Saarloos.

Keith was emotional asking for people to pray for his father during the five-hour surgery as they weren’t allowed to see him due to restrictions related to COVID-19.

On Thursday, the Saarloos family stated Larry got out of surgery the previous night and is speaking with full cognition, but is in pain without some mobility.

“That is a challenge we’re all going to face together as a family, but the part that we love about my father, he’s still here. He’s still with us,” said Keith.

Video of Larry Saarloos prior to the accident (Video: Sarrloos & Sons)

April 14, 2020: Horse Rider Airlifted to Hospital with Fall Injuries