Bolting horse killed on road near Whitchurch
A horse died after it is believed to have thrown its rider off and ran in front of a van on a main road in north Shropshire. A horse died after it is believed to have thrown its rider off and ran in front of a van on a main road in north Shropshire. The animal is understood to have run without its rider for about a mile before being struck by the vehicle on the A41 at Higher Heath, near Whitchurch. Five people were hurt in the resulting collision, including a woman and a teenage girl who were taken to hospital. Two cars crashed after one hit the back of the van and a second car hit the first car, police said.
A horse died after it is believed to have thrown its rider off and ran in front of a van on a main road in north Shropshire.
The animal is understood to have run without its rider for about a mile before being struck by the vehicle on the A41 at Higher Heath, near Whitchurch.
Five people were hurt in the resulting collision, including a woman and a teenage girl who were taken to hospital.
Two cars crashed after one hit the back of the van and a second car hit the first car, police said.
The incident happened at about 1.45pm on Saturday and Richard Ewels, West Mercia Police spokesman, said: "The horse was killed and the situation is that apparently it bolted and threw its rider off about a mile from where the collision took place.
"The rider was not seriously hurt and the horse was running free before it was involved in the collision."
Claire Thomas, spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "When ambulance crews arrived they found a van which had been in collision with a horse.
"The occupants of the van, three men, were out of the vehicle. All three were assessed by crews on scene for injuries but did not require hospital treatment.
"Unfortunately, the horse did not survive the collision.
"A short distance behind the van, crews found two cars which had also collided.
"A woman in her 40s and her teenage daughter were injured in one car. Both suffered neck and back pain.
"Crews treated the mother and daughter on scene before both were taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Police said the road was closed but re-opened by about 2.45pm.
Anyone who saw the incident can call police on 03003 333000.
Elsewhere, a woman was seriously injured and her two children and husband hurt after their car left the A49 near Craven Arms in icy conditions at about 8.30am yesterday.
The woman's condition was described as critical but stable.
Icy weather also caused a car to leave the B5476 road at The Whym, Wem, yesterday morning ending up in a hedge. Nobody was injured.
By Tom Johannsen
