Pony escapes overturned trailer and gallops down M40

An accident involving a horse trailer carrying two ponies brought the M40 to a standstill at the weekend.

One pony escaped after the trailer overturned and galloped off down the carriageway. A second remained in the vehicle despite the trailer being on its side.

The incident occurred between High Wycombe and Loudwater in Buckinghamshire yesterday afternoon (Sunday 19 July).

The motorway was shut for two hours between junctions two and four while the ponies and trailer were recovered.

Both horses are thought to be uninjured. No humans were hurt in the accident.

“We were called to the M40 at Beaconsfield at 3.03pm,” a spokesman from Thames Valley Police told H&H.

“The fire service and a vet were all called to the scene.

“The road was closed and partially closed until about 6.30pm while the horse was recovered.”

Passengers and firefighters chased the loose horse before it was caught further up the road.

A tweet from Bucks Fire and Rescue read: “Incident was overturned horsebox carrying two horses. One was trapped, one jumped over central reservation. Both okay.”

Nicky Acketts was travelling in the opposite direction when the accident occurred. Both lanes were gridlocked.

“It was a relief to see that both ponies appeared to be OK even thought the horse box was lying on its side in the fast lane of the M40,” she told H&H. “The road was closed in both directions for about two hours while the second pony was caught.”

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