UPDATE - Horse killed and rider seriously injured after collision with car
Residents have spoken of their shock and dismay after a horse was killed and its rider seriously injured in a collision with a car in Banstead.
The crash happened on Park Road, about half a mile south of The Mint pub, at about 11am yesterday (Wednesday).
Police cordoned off a stretch of road between the pub and Lower Park Road for about an hour following the accident between the woman rider and a black Honda Civic.
The horse suffered serious injuries and had to be put down at the scene by a vet.
An air ambulance landed in a nearby field and conveyed the rider to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel suffering from serious back and leg injuries.
The Honda overturned after the impact. The woman driver was taken to St Helier Hospital in Carshalton with minor injuries.
One Park Road resident, who asked not be named, said: "I saw about five or six cars and two fire engines rush past.
"Then I heard the air ambulance helicopter flying overhead.
"I did not go past the scene of the accident because it would have been too distressing.
"All the windows were smashed in the damaged car which was driven away on a low-loader."
Chris Murray, who was doing some gardening work at a nearby house, said: "I was kept outside the police cordon for about 15 minutes before I was allowed through.
"The stretch of road where the crash happened is narrow and winding, on a steep hill.
"There is quite a lot of horse riders living locally so they will be shocked and distressed by this incident."
Anyone who witnessed the crash, or the vehicle prior to the collision, should contact the Surrey Police Collision Investigation Unit on 01483 639922 quoting reference number P10110743.
Comments
by Debbie, Surrey
Thursday, April 15 2010, 2:59PM
“What a tragic accident. My thoughts are with the rider, and also with the car driver who will both be severely traumatised. I hope they recover from their injuries quickly. I am so sorry the rider lost her horse - as a horse owner myself I know how devestated she must be at losing part of her family in this way.”