LEBANON — An experienced rider was critically injured after being thrown from her horse Sunday morning.

Lebanon Assistant Rescue Chief Jason Cole spoke with the rider’s family and said her horse “was apparently spooked by several birds,” throwing the woman about 12 feet in the air. The rider was wearing a helmet.

The 46-year-old woman, who lives in East Lebanon, landed on the ground. She was flown by a LifeFlight of Maine helicopter to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Cole described her injuries as “serious and potentially life-threatening.” Her name was not available.

Cole said the accident took place around 10:45 a.m. at a farm in East Lebanon.

Lebanon Rescue took the woman to Skydive New England in Lebanon – the property is equipped with a runway and landing area – where the patient was transferred to the helicopter.