Young girl hit by starting gate has died

Five-year-year-old Harper L. Finn of Altamont died Wednesday at 6:49 p.m., the office of the St. Louis Medical Examiner confirmed Thursday.

Local authorities continue to investigate the harness racing accident that injured Harper during the start of the first race at the Effingham County Fair on Sunday (July 30), according to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office.

The starting car hit Harper, the daughter of Richard and Bethany Finn, with an extended wing while passing the grandstand, officials said. Racing was canceled at the track for the rest of the week.

Harper was transported from the scene by ambulance to the helipad at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, and then airlifted by ARCH Air Medical to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where she died Wednesday evening, authorities said.

By Thursday morning, $73,175 had been raised for the Finn family at gofundme.com/f/m346t-the-finn-family.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink