Travellers linked to third horse dead after second freak A127 crash - Essex

From the Brentwood Gazette

A third escaped horse died following a second freak accident on the A127 at Wickford yesterday.

Just before 8pm police were told a horse was loose moving Southend-bound beside the Dick ****** pub, but upon arrival it had been hit by a male driver.

The Renault Magane driver of Orpington, Kent, and his 52-year-old wife, who suffered facial injuries, were released from hospital that same evening.

The incident follows an accident at about 6am that morning in which two of three escaped horses were killed in a four-vehicle crash, leaving a man battling a serious head injury in hospital.

Eye witnesses to the first incident have been advised to seek counselling.

More pictures, see here.

The horse in this second incident is believed to have broken loose from its tether from a nearby Travellers' site.

Insp Dick Thomas said: "Work is on-going in Basildon District by local police officers to ensure horse owners are reminded of their responsibility under the Animal Act 1971 that they have a duty of care to prevent horses or any animal straying onto the highway.

"The investigation into the causes of the collision with two horses around 6am and the second incident around 8pm continues. That investigation will include the circumstances of how the horses came to be on the A127 and whether any offences by the horse owners have been committed or not.

"Where the circumstances and evidence shows that horse owners have been negligent then Essex Police will seek to prosecute.

"Horses straying on the roads places the welfare of the motorist and the animal at risk and every horse owner must ensure that they take every precaution to keep their horses safe and secured. Fences should be sufficiently robust to prevent escape and gates shut at all times. Regular checks must be made of the fence condition and repairs undertaken to prevent escape. With ownership of a horse comes with responsibility and we will seek to prosecute those who show a disregard for this responsibility."