Georgina Lightning, known for her role in the British sitcom "Auf Wiedersehen, Pet," has died at the age of 63. The actress and filmmaker passed away after an equestrian accident at the Enoch Rodeo Grounds in Canada.
Lightning was filming a documentary about the three-day Indian Relay event when she was struck by a horse that veered off course. Paramedics provided treatment at the scene, and she was pronounced dead, according to police.
Alberta RCMP confirmed that officers responded to the incident on Saturday evening. The horse reportedly hit Lightning while she was in a designated media area taking photographs.
The Enoch Cree First Nation shared on Facebook that Lightning died "following an incident at [the] Indian Relay event at the Enoch Rodeo Grounds."
Co-star Tim Healy paid tribute to Lightning on X, stating, "RIP Georgina lovely lady and a joy to work with."
In "Auf Wiedersehen, Pet," Lightning portrayed Lainie Proudfoot in four episodes, playing a Native American girlfriend and later wife to one of the main characters.
Her career extended beyond acting. Lightning also wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the 2008 film "Older Than America." The movie drew inspiration from her own school experiences and was dedicated to her father, George De Jong, who died by suicide after his time in the Canadian residential school system.
Lightning's other acting credits include "DreamKeeper," "Blackstone," "Trickster," "Three Pines," "Alaska Daily," and "Johnny Greeneyes."
She is survived by her three children, Crystle, Cody, and William, all of whom are involved in the acting industry. Her daughter Crystle posted on Facebook, "I have lost my mother, my sons’ Kohkum, my matriarch, my role model, my confidant."
In 1990, Lightning moved to Los Angeles with her children to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.