A father and son returning home from the Appleby horse fair have died after an articulated tanker hit their horse-drawn caravan on the A66 in Cumbria.
The two vehicles were travelling in the same direction along the dual carriageway near Coupland Beck, Appleby when they were involved in a collision on Tuesday evening (10 June).
The 49-year-old man and his six-year-old son, who have not been named, were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident while their horse was put down by a vet.
Police believe that the pair were members of the travelling community from County Durham, who were returning home after attending the popular Appleby horse fair.
The driver of the tanker was not hurt and the vehicle is thought to have been empty at the time of the incident.
Following the accident, the dual carriageway remained closed in both directions for five hours.
A police spokesperson said: “We are appealing for anyone who either witnessed the accident or saw the vehicles prior to the collision to contact us.”
Anyone with any information should contact Cumbria police tel: (01768 891999)
