Horsebox crash shuts motorway
Horse dies after horsebox overturns on the M1, near Leicester
Police were forced to shut the M1 for more than four hours after a horsebox overturned at junction 23 on the M1 in Leicestershire, on Sunday (7 July).
One horse was destroyed by a vet at the scene of the accident and another was treated for injuries.
The accident happened on the northbound carriageway of the M1 just after midday. Police, paramedics and a vet were called to attend the scene.
Two people travelling in the lorry were taken to the nearby Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham with minor head injuries.
The horsebox was the only vehicle involved in the accident, the cause of which is still being investigated.
A police spokesperson said: “The incident caused a lot of traffic congestion and the motorway was not re-opened until 4.30pm. Drivers reversing up slip roads and driving on the hard shoulderhampered the rescue services attempts to get to the accident.”
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