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A partially-sighted man moved five horses to safety after they strayed onto the railway track in Cumbria.
Iain Hughes, who is registered blind, was travelling home from work in Kendal last month (29 July) when he saw something moving on the Lakes Line below Longpool Bridge.
On closer inspection he made out five horses on the track.
Mr Hughes reacted instantly, jumping over the railings and down onto the tracks before moving the horses onto a grass verge.
He called British Transport Police who were able to stop approaching trains.
“I was very nervous but I didn’t have time to think,” Mr Hughes told H&H.
“I was more scared for the horses. I didn’t know if a train was coming.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“The first one wouldn’t move, I had to hold him round his neck and take him off to the grass verge at the side.”
Mr Hughes is not used to handling horses but wanted to help the animals.
“The last time I was with one I was bitten,” he added.
Mr Hughes waited until the police arrived to show them where the horses were.
The horses were taken back to their neighbouring field and the police contacted their owner.
“We informed Network Rail, who sent staff to the scene and warned train drivers in the area,” a spokesman from British Transport Police said.
“Officers from Cumbria Constabulary also attended and the horses were removed from the line.”
The horses were not hurt in the incident.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.