Rider critical after horse is spooked by motorbike on country lane

A man is critically ill in hospital after his horse was spooked by a motorcyclist on Saturday morning (27 March).

The 55-year-old man was riding with a friend on a single-track road, Pisley Lane, in Ockley in Surrey at 10am on Saturday.

The riders and motorbiker met on a blind bend, where the man fell from his horse when it spooked. He was wearing a helmet, but sustained severe head injuries, and was airlifted to Kings College London shortly afterwards.

Riders in the area are shocked at the incident. Pisley Lane leads to a byway open to all traffic that is popular with trailbikers and 4×4 drivers — as well as riders.

“Horses and motorbikes don’t mix. It was an accident waiting to happen — we just never thought it would,” said one local rider, who wished not to be named.

Police are investigating.

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