Shropshire driver killed in fatal horse crash is named
A 26-year-old man who died after a crash involving three vehicles and a horse near Telford was today named as Armands Ozolins.
The crash happened in Weston Heath, near Sheriffhales, on September 18.
Mr Ozolins, from Great Chatwell, near Newport, suffered serious injuries and died in hospital the following day.
Today police launched a fresh appeal for information.
Mr Ozolins was driving a white Fiat Punto towards the A41 from Weston Heath near Sheriffhales when he was involved in the collision.
He suffered severe head and chest injuries in the collision with a horse and rider on September 18 and died in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham the next day.
A spokesman for PDM Produce in Great Chatwell said that Mr Ozolins, who was a Latvian national, worked as a cabbage picker for the firm and lived at the caravan park on site.
An inquest on the 26-year-old was opened yesterday by Shropshire coroner John Ellery and adjourned to a date to be fixed.
Two other vehicles were involved in the incident – a green VW Passatt, which was travelling in the same direction as the Fiat, and a white Transit van, which was heading in the opposite direction.
The rider of the horse suffered serious hand and leg injuries and was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke On Trent.
The VW and van drivers were injured, but the horse died at the scene immediately after the collision.
Constable Simon Barnes, who is investigating the circumstances of the crash, said: "I would particularly like to hear from anyone who might have witnessed the actual collision or who may have seen any of the vehicles involved being driven in the area immediately beforehand."
Anyone with information is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 or 0300 333 3000, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
By Pam Griffin
