Three horses have died in a horror crash with a car on a busy Wiltshire A-road.
Emergency services were called to the tragic incident on the A36 near Salisbury at around 11pm yesterday evening (Sunday 28 May).
A single vehicle ploughed into numerous horses after they escaped from Druids Lodge Polo Club-owned fields between Stapleford and Steeple Langford.
A number of motorists reportedly stopped to slow down traffic and alert them of the hazard, but many drivers ignored them and sped through regardless.
Four horses are said to have been injured in the collision, with three pronounced dead at the scene. The condition of the forth horse is currently unknown.
One witness said: “We tried everything to avoid this happening but sadly a lot of motorists ignored us flagging traffic down and continued to speed through and even overtook me driving down the middle of the road with hazards on. Most horrific thing I’ve witnessed.”
Another added: “3 horses dead so far! Hopefully no one is injured human wise!
“My partner is currently stood on the side of the road with one of the horses trying to keep it calm! The [polo] club are aware and on their way.”
The driver of the vehicle suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Police, supported by National Highways, closed the road in both directions between the A30 in Salisbury and the A303 at Deptford for around six hours – it reopened at 5.45am.
In a statement from Wiltshire Police, a spokesperson said: “The A36 is currently closed between Stapleford and Steeple Langford following a road traffic collision involving a car and horses.
“A number of horses (possibly around seven) are loose on the road. Motorists are being advised to avoid the area.”
