Ellie and I had an accident on the road today...

_MizElz_

_MizElz_

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I've just got back, and still feel very shaken up by it all.

We were hacking to a local XC course with a friend, where we were going to have a quick school round. We'd been on the road about 20 mins when a tractor came up behind us, so we decided to trot on to a layby a few yards ahead. Both horses stood quietly, and then suddenly a concrete lorry came steaming around the corner ahead of us. The road is a 30 limit (single track road with 4ft banks on either side, so no verge) and I would say he must have been doing at least 45/50mph. He slammed his brakes on and managed to stop just as he drew level with us, whereby my friend's horse leapt up the bank to get out of the way. Ellie was fine to begin with, but then the driver for some reason decided to drive on and as he moved off, his mixer started to turn and Ellie just went ballistic - really panicking. She tried to get up the bank but couldnt get a footing and ended up falling back onto the road and went right down...I fell off around this point - I think I landed on my feet - but it was all I could do to keep hold of her, and still the lorry was trying to drive away, and then his back wheel actually hit Ellie's legs :(:mad: I just wanted to get her out of the way, so stupidly I didnt get his reg number, and my friend was being carted across the field because her horse was freaked out too, so she didnt get a decent look at the guy either. He drove off straight away, in spite of the fact that I was left on the floor in the middle of the road, holding my injured horse :mad::mad::mad::mad:
Ellie's come off pretty lightly we think - she's taken all the skin off both hocks so is very sore, but luckily the wounds look superficial. I was ok at the time, but I couldnt stop shaking when I got back to the yard. Everyone was fab, and I'd rung my mum already when we were walking back so she was there too. Everyone was unanimous about the fact that we should tell the police, so we rang them there and then and they have now said they want us to go into the station to give the full story.
We are 99% sure that we know the company the lorry is from - there are only two concrete companies in the area so from the colour of the lorry, we have been able to identify which one this was from. I just dont hold out much hope, and it really isnt fair - he could have killed us both today.

One thing I will say is that I wore my body protector for only the second time today (because we were going XC) and if I hadnt had it on, I think things could have been a bit different. So I intend to wear it at all times now - and I'm bloody thankful I had it on today.

:(:(:(:(:(
 
OMG - glad that you're ok - that sounds horrific :(

Hopefully if Ellie gets lots of turnout there will be minimal swelling, good luck at the station - really hope they take it seriously and you manage to track down the driver :mad:
 
So sorry to hear about your horrible experience. I hope that neither of you suffers any long-term effects, either physically or psychologically.
I am astounded by your description of the driver's behaviour and I hope you can track him down and prosecute - what an a*** hole!
You getting a vet to cast an eye over Ellie? Might be worth it in the next day or so, just for peace of mind, or in case something comes up later?
 
Stencilface said:
OMG - glad that you're ok - that sounds horrific :(

Hopefully if Ellie gets lots of turnout there will be minimal swelling, good luck at the station - really hope they take it seriously and you manage to track down the driver :mad:
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Well that's the other good thing - I've posted before about Ellie refusing to stay out in the field and us having real problems - but we tried her out on Sunday and she has since had two lovely days out - for the first proper time since October! So that's a real bonus, especially now as, like you say, she'll need to be out to walk the swelling off x
 
How horrific for you :eek: Soo glad you and Ellie are ok! I really hope the police do manage to trace the driver and he gets what he deserves!!!

Sadly stories like this don't surprise me! My mum and Pasha were hit by a car once and as she lay dying (literally) in the road, the driver was trying to push his car away!!! Got off scott free!
 
its actually illegal to drive off from the scene of an accident i was told by our local station I dont know if that means horses as well but considering you fell off going to the police was a good idea. Fingers crossed they have words and that your horse isnt too shaken by it all.
 
Flicker said:
So sorry to hear about your horrible experience. I hope that neither of you suffers any long-term effects, either physically or psychologically.
I am astounded by your description of the driver's behaviour and I hope you can track him down and prosecute - what an a*** hole!
You getting a vet to cast an eye over Ellie? Might be worth it in the next day or so, just for peace of mind, or in case something comes up later?
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I'm normally the first one to dash for the vet, but we're going to see how she is later on tonight - she was really perky in herself earlier so as long as she's not got masses of swelling later or is hobbling, I'm pretty sure she'll be fine if we just make sure the wounds stay nice and clean. They're not deep - thankfully - and are in such a tricky place we couldnt really dress them, and besides, I'm not sure they warrant it as they werent even really bleeding that much. And there's not a mark on her otherwise - I think she's been very, very lucky.

I just hope there is something the police can do. Not so long ago we had a run in with a coach who came up behind us and beeped for us to get out of the way (single track road again) - the police were excellent then, although unable to prosecute on the grounds that there were no witnesses. We'll just have to see!
 
Actually, you should get the vet - because if this goes any further with the police, you will need the vet to attest to the injuries sustained by the horse........
 
ecrozier said:
God how awful for you. Did the tractor driver perhaps see the reg number? Even part of number might help!
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I actually drove to where the tractor came from (its a big veggie farm) to see if I could chat to the driver, but no one was around. But at least I can tell the police where the tractor came from, if they need a witness x
 
Horrible! I'm pleased to hear your both relatively unscathed.
I hope the police do take action but if you know which company it is (or might be) I'd be contacting their managing director too and making a complaint. Better still if you know anyone really scary, get them to pay a visit and read the riot act. My YO paid Hills Recycling a visit a few years back (as you can imagine where my yard is we meet them a lot) when one of their drivers frightened the life out of her daughter's youngster. She is quite a formidable lady and the lorries are very considerate around the horses now.

Sound like you need a great big carrot for Ellie and bar of chocolate for you x
 
Hullabaloo said:
Horrible! I'm pleased to hear your both relatively unscathed.
I hope the police do take action but if you know which company it is (or might be) I'd be contacting their managing director too and making a complaint. Better still if you know anyone really scary, get them to pay a visit and read the riot act. My YO paid Hills Recycling a visit a few years back (as you can imagine where my yard is we meet them a lot) when one of their drivers frightened the life out of her daughter's youngster. She is quite a formidable lady and the lorries are very considerate around the horses now.

Sound like you need a great big carrot for Ellie and bar of chocolate for you x
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Hills Recycling you say? Interesting.....!
 
:mad: God there are some irresponsible berks around.

Horrible situation but at least you have all got off relatively unscathed. Do make a statement and see if you can get the tractor driver to recall exactly what he saw too. I hope that they find the driver.

Personally, and I don't know if this would be treading on the toes of the Police in your case, I would visit/call both Concrete companies and say (not accuse of course) that there was an incident involving horses and riders and could they make a point of asking their drivers to show consideration for more vulnerable road users on your narrow roads. It could have been a child or someone less competent in the way.

I hope Ellie mends quickly.
 
How terrifying! Glad to hear no one was seriously hurt but you must be incredibly shaken.

I would absolutely call the Police and get them to deal with it. If they can identify which company it was, they should have details of where their drivers were so they may be able to work out who in particular it was.

I am genuinely disgusted at some of the drivers out there. On Sun I hacked out with a couple of other liveries. Going down a country lane, reasonably straight and open, a driver came towards us who was doing easily 60mph in what has been changed to a 30mph zone. One of the girls waved for him to slow down as it's only slightly bigger than a single track. He could see us from miles away, he slowed a little and then as he got towards us, made a point of revving the engine as much as possible, pulling right out towards us, speeding up past us and swearing at us. I can't understand the point of it as if one of us had been on a skittish horse, we could have ended up with someone being seriously injured. Generally we don't tend to have trouble with cars around our hacking routes but you get the odd one. I also cycle and am genuinely frightened when cycling on the roads because I find cars pay even less attention to cyclists than they do to horses.
 
Oh my god that is awful, i really hope your horse gets over her injuries really soon and that it doesnt dent yours or her confidence from riding out with traffic.
What a complete arse the driver was. Some people really shouldnt have a driving licence.

Big hugs to both of you and i hope nothing like that ever happens to you again.

Really good advice tho from amymay.....i would get the vet out anyway as she suggests as then you will have a vetinary report should they manage to get hold of the driver. It will give them some evidence and also if you could get a statement from the tractor driver it would give you plenty to give the police should it go any further.

Big hugs and pats for the horse. xx
 
God how awful, hope you and Ellie are ok, just to reassure you my instructor was hit by a 4x4 a couple of weeks ago on her show horse, the horse was very shaken at first but has since been out and won her class and the show championships with the mare showing no ill effects.

Do go to the police, they were very good with my instructor and very helpful, tell them everything you can and hopefully they can track down the company and the driver. Try to contact the tractor driver or ask the police to as he may be able to provide a better description, just because you didn't get the reg doesn't mean all is lost.

I would also write a formal complaint to the company about the behaviour of the driver.

Do tell the police that your horse is injured (that makes it an accident which a driver should report to the police) and that the vehicle made contact with the horse. Do not say that you are unhurt, tell them that you came off but seem to have escaped without any broken bones. I'm sure at the very least you have bruising and grazing if not more and you want the police to treat this as an injury accident. Same for your friend and her horse.
 
amymay said:
Actually, you should get the vet - because if this goes any further with the police, you will need the vet to attest to the injuries sustained by the horse........
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My thoughts too.

Imagine you would be best reporting directly to the police and doing it now if you haven't already done so. Write events down so you can give clear account to police. Hope horse settles/recovers soon and that it doesn't scare her permanently

I got hit by tranny van years back on the B2139 near Storrington/Sussex. I dropped in the middle of the road and the bloke drove off. Horse went up the road too but thankfully thought we were going onto the Downs so turned off the main road. Driver stopped at petrol station just up the road and commented to cashier he thought he'd just hit a horse!!! Cashier had sense to stop him and called police. I was too busy getting off carriageway and finding horse to call police.
 
runaway said:
Driver stopped at petrol station just up the road and commented to cashier he thought he'd just hit a horse!!! Cashier had sense to stop him and called police. I was too busy getting off carriageway and finding horse to call police.
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Jeez! How can you think you just hit a horse?
 
_MizElz_ said:
Hills Recycling you say? Interesting.....!
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If you think it was them I can ask her more about what she did(it was before my time on the yard). They seemed to take her seriously as we have no problems with them now (touch wood) so at least if you do make a complaint you might not be wasting your breath.
 
How awful for you both, fingers crossed ellie gets better quickly and with no complications. Agree, if it goes any further it might be worth having the vet be able to attest to the injuries.

Some people are beyond belief, some of them seem to have an 'i'm in a big strong vehicle, i can do what i want and no one can stop me'. I hope something comes of it, and people in the area might think a bit more before doing something stupid in future.
 
I really hope that you are ok and not too shaken up. That sounds like an a really nasty experience for you. What a stupid driver, it really is unbelievable how dangerous some drivers can be around horses and riders!! They really don't seem to care what happens as a result of their actions.
 
Like some of the other posters I strongly advise getting a vet out and taking loads of photos of the injuries - will help in the case of a prosecution or legal procedings. Best wishes to Ellie and you; I have been hit by a car out riding and know how scary it is.
 
Oh God, this has got me shaking - It's one of those things you dread ever having to face.

The lorry company will have a good idea who was on that route at that time, and the police will be able to follow that side up, BUT they will also want a statement from your vet (sorry), and one from you and your friends, plus any other witnesses if there were any ? Plus photos of the site, etc,etc, best get in contact with them now to get it rolling.

I am so sorry this has happened to you and Ellie, huge ((((((((((((hugs))))))))))) sm x
 
How horrible!!! It's such a relief no one was injured more seriously and I hope your horse turns out to be fine, but it does leave everyone feeling very shaken up doesn't it?

The driver is a sorry excuse for a human being for not stopping and I do hope you can trace him via the two companies. I would imagine they would have an exact schedule of where their drivers go and when because of the nature of contrete.

I wish I could say it was a one off, bad luck, but, like others on this thread, have been left in lying in the middle of the road while a driver drove off.
 
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