Rider and 2 horses Killed and 1 rider injured Brentwood Essex

[Abandluc]

Sorry about the above post - pressed the button too early.

Very sad news - OP do you know which road this happened on? They are all quite narrow twisty roads round there and people tend to drive so fast round the bends ...

It was Crow Green Lane, just down from Ashwells. I agree that people drive way too fast, it makes you really think about riding on the roads, but we don't have any other option other than box up and go somewhere which there isn't always time for

 

[alwaysbroke]

Terrible, thoughts to all family and friends

 

[CBAnglo]

I know that road have been down there its very narrow. Its residential and actually a straight road so driver shouldn't have been going fast.

 

[sabel]

So terrible, have just heard about this. Thoughts to everyone connected with this dreadful accident.

 

[tracy_wace]

This lady was a friend of mine and an experienced, sensible rider. Yes, the reason given for the accident was 'sun in the eyes' but if you knew the horrific details of this accident, you would also know that this was an excuse. They were on a straight stretch of road, clear day and single file. The injuries that this man caused were so horrific that I cannot even begin to think about the speed he must have been travelling at. Three good, innocent lives were lost yesterday just because someone was acting carelessly. Disgraceful.

 

[Double_choc_lab]

Thoughts are with all the families involved and also the emergency services who have to attend such an horriffic scene.

RIP horses.

 

[LauraWheeler]

awful just awful.
RIP horses and rider. xxxx
Thoughts are with those left behind.

 

[Tormenta]

Absolutely awful. My sincere condolences to everyone involved.

 

[Bertthefrog]

This lady was a friend of mine and an experienced, sensible rider. Yes, the reason given for the accident was 'sun in the eyes' but if you knew the horrific details of this accident, you would also know that this was an excuse. They were on a straight stretch of road, clear day and single file. The injuries that this man caused were so horrific that I cannot even begin to think about the speed he must have been travelling at. Three good, innocent lives were lost yesterday just because someone was acting carelessly. Disgraceful.

Once again - many lives blighted forever by the actions of one mindless idiot. A reminder to us all to slow down when we are driving. I hope they throw the book at him.

My thoughts and sympathies to the relatives of all involved. Also with the attending emergency services, it must have been horrific.

 

[olop]

Such an awful story the roads really are getting no better
My thoughts are with the family, so sad

 

[Twiglet]

Heard about this yesterday from my groom, who was friends with the deceased. I've also ridden down this road, so made my blood run cold to hear it Feel awful for those first on the scene, from the sounds of it, it was just horrendous.

 

[SecretSquirrell379]

RIP to the rider and horses

my heart goes out to all who knew them

 

[loopiesteff]

Awful news, shocking to hear.

When I hack out - I have pockets full of gravel. Cars who get too close, don't slow down, or are generally "arses" - get pelted at. They soon learn and give a wide berth!

Had 1 time my now 5 y/o (just 4 at the time and first ever hack in the area) started freaking out because a blonde woman (on her mobile!!!) came screaming round a corner in her SLK sports car. Penny proceeded to spin round, buck and kick out - towards the car. What shocked me - was that the woman STILL tried to drive on! So I just let Penny keep going - got closer and closer - and BANG. Kicked the car. 2 LOVELY hoof prints in the drivers side door. The woman obviously went mental, but lost the argument, and as she drove off, she got a pelting!

But people will NEVER learn. I often hear "horses are a pain in the backside" - "they should all be made glu and not on the roads clogging up the traffic"

I hope that driver really does have some sympathy and at least thinks about what happened, if not tell others to be more careful - yet I really do hope he gets what for...

RIP x

 

[Puddock]

Awful news, shocking to hear.

When I hack out - I have pockets full of gravel. Cars who get too close, don't slow down, or are generally "arses" - get pelted at. They soon learn and give a wide berth! x

First, heartfelt condolences to the families involved, what a truly terrible thing to happen. I hope the poor male rider makes a full recovery.

Second, however, I just had to comment that the actions described above are illegal, irresponsible and downright dangerous. I hardly think that behaving like this is likely to encourage safer, more tolerant driving around horses. If anything, it's more likely to make already peeved motorists attempt to mow down the next horse and rider they see, after being subjected to one of your "peltings". Dear God, does no one think before they act anymore?

 

[iestynlad]

I hope they throw the book at this driver. Good to know he has been arrested. I hope they make a real example of him. I am just sick of people belting around the place, texting and phoning at the wheel. I have even seem people shaving and with a newspaper spread out over the steering wheel!
The penalty for using a mobile phone whilst driving should be to have it stuck up your proverbial!!!!
A lovely Sunday hack turned out to be a tragedy for all concerned. Why do others think they have the right to destroy peoples lives and quality of life.
My heart goes out to the guy who survived.
Hanging is too good for the driver! How would he feel if one day someone he cares about is just mown down. What a b********d!

 

[lily1]

Heartfelt condolences to the lady and both horses who lost their lives yesterday.
Its just not safe to ride on our roads how ever bombproof our horses are there are so many idiots that out of principle wont give way to horses.

 

[Doris68]

Such an awful tragedy. Condolences to all concerned.
RIP.

 

[Tuskers]

Deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of those you have lost their life, not just in this accident but in all the others as well.

There is an ebay seller who went through a similar thing (although the rider survived) and they do a lot to raise drivers awareness of horses on roads. Type "kill your speed not my horse" into ebay and you will find them.

The reflective jackets are great and they do car window stickers which might just make drivers a little more aware when they are flying around corners.

 

[Twiglet]

Admittedly I don't know the full details of the accident but it would be standard procedure for the driver to be arrested in a fatal accident. The sun was extremely low yesterday, and I was told the riders weren't in hi viz. That's not to say it's in any way their fault, but as all the facts aren't available, it's not necessarily fair to condemn the driver to 'hanging being too good for them' before the facts are established.

 

[Over2You]

This is my worst nightmare too. My many sympathies to all involved.

I usually only wear reflective gear when visibility/light isn't that good, but think I'll invest in one of those "kill your speed not my horse" jackets. Which will be worn at all times. Also like the idea of gravel pelting. However, you should be careful. A driver might see fit to report a pelting and you know how biased the police are to motorists. I also see the BHS have re-launched their "horse sense" TV advert. Here's hoping motorists pay attention to it.

 

[Twiglet]

Re: gravel....dear lord, I hope this isn't something that other riders pick up. Not only is it extremely dangerous, it is also illegal, and serves no purpose other than to make drivers think riders are aggressive and don't deserve to be treated with respect.

 

[Over2You]

Shocking and tragic It's time driving lessons and tests featured horses and how to drive past them as a matter of very high importance.

I find hacking on the roads so stressful I no longer do it.

Condolences to all involved - very sad.

I totally agree. Then again, basic car maintenance and how to drive on ice/in snow isn't even taught.

It's high time a driving test became more like acquiring a pilot's licence. Where just about every possible scenario is covered and learned.

 

[Over2You]

Admittedly I don't know the full details of the accident but it would be standard procedure for the driver to be arrested in a fatal accident. The sun was extremely low yesterday, and I was told the riders weren't in hi viz. That's not to say it's in any way their fault, but as all the facts aren't available, it's not necessarily fair to condemn the driver to 'hanging being too good for them' before the facts are established.

The driver has been CHARGED with CARELESS driving. The reason given was that the sun had gotten in his eyes. But if that happens, you slow right down or put on a pair of sunglasses. That moron did neither of those things. There isn't a punishment good enough for this non-entity.

 

[Over2You]

Re: gravel....dear lord, I hope this isn't something that other riders pick up. Not only is it extremely dangerous, it is also illegal, and serves no purpose other than to make drivers think riders are aggressive and don't deserve to be treated with respect.

Perhaps the poster has had no other choice than to take things into his/her hands. Authorities do NOTHING to ensure roads are safer for horses.

 

[Gorgeous George]

I live in Brentwood and used to hack down that road and it has shocked me to the core, made worse because I have just heard from my good friend that the lady who died and the man who was injured were friends of hers. What a shocking and tragic waste of 3 innocent lives, my thoughts are with their families and friends.

I am seriously considering if hacking on the roads is really worth it.

So sorry.....................

 

[Twiglet]

The driver has been CHARGED with CARELESS driving. The reason given was that the sun had gotten in his eyes. But if that happens, you slow right down or put on a pair of sunglasses. That moron did neither of those things. There isn't a punishment good enough for this non-entity.

Again, all I'm saying is that you don't know the full facts of the accident. It is an incredibly sad situation, and has directly affected people I know, and if the driver is responsible, then I would fully support the full force of the law being dealt out to him. However, being charged is not to say that someone is guilty, and it is all well speculating on the internet but you are not in possession of the facts.

 

[Twiglet]

Perhaps the poster has had no other choice than to take things into his/her hands. Authorities do NOTHING to ensure roads are safer for horses.

If it's that dangerous to ride on the roads, then the choice surely (for the benefit of the poster, and their horse) would be to stop riding on the roads, not to throw gravel at cars - endangering themselves, their horse and other drivers.

 

[Tinypony]

Awful news, shocking to hear.

When I hack out - I have pockets full of gravel. Cars who get too close, don't slow down, or are generally "arses" - get pelted at. They soon learn and give a wide berth!

Had 1 time my now 5 y/o (just 4 at the time and first ever hack in the area) started freaking out because a blonde woman (on her mobile!!!) came screaming round a corner in her SLK sports car. Penny proceeded to spin round, buck and kick out - towards the car. What shocked me - was that the woman STILL tried to drive on! So I just let Penny keep going - got closer and closer - and BANG. Kicked the car. 2 LOVELY hoof prints in the drivers side door. The woman obviously went mental, but lost the argument, and as she drove off, she got a pelting!

But people will NEVER learn. I often hear "horses are a pain in the backside" - "they should all be made glu and not on the roads clogging up the traffic"

I hope that driver really does have some sympathy and at least thinks about what happened, if not tell others to be more careful - yet I really do hope he gets what for...

RIP x

Oh, I wonder why some drivers think that horses (and riders) are a pain in the backside?

 

[Tinypony]

RIP, what a terribly sad happening.

I'm getting increasingly unwilling to ride on the lanes, I sometimes turn around and go back on the off-road riding rather than completing a loop by using the lane.

 

[loopiesteff]

I can understand your comments as to what I've written. Yes it is dangerous - but hardly as dangerous as a car vs horse. A lot of the riders around our area feel the need to carry gravel or some equivalent and actually it HAS helped.

Why SHOULD I have to not hack out? We've got just as much right to be on the roads as cars. I'm not backing down.

Regarding Hi Viz jackets - I was told they were compulsory - regardless of the weather conditions...

Also, was told that the ones that say something along the lines of "Beware, young horse" could be used against you in court as people could argue that young inexperienced horses shouldn't be on the road?!