Pony and owner killed in road accident
A driving pony and its driver died in a night-time road accident on an unlit road
A man and his driving pony suffered fatal injuries after being hit by a car on an unlit road in Northamptonshire at 8.20pm on Sunday 31 March.
The man, who was staying at a traveller site in Irchester, was killed when a VW Golf went into the rear of his pony trap, which he was driving in the same direction. The police havenamed the man as 22-year-old Matthew James Johnston.
The pony suffered severe injuries and was destroyed by a vet.
The driver of the car allegedly failed to stop at the scene but has since been traced. “A 21-year-old man from Bozeat has been released on delayed charge bail pending further inquiries,” a police statement said.
The British Driving Society’s guidelines advise carriage drivers not to drive at night, dawn or dusk.
If this can’t be avoided, it says “reflective clothing should be worn and carriage stickers are essential“. After lighting up time, it says “vehicles must have red rear electric lamps”.
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