Foal dies in first livestock accident for more than three months in New Forest

Young pony killed on animal accident blackspot route

Author: Henrietta CreaseyPublished 16th Jun 2022

A foal has died after being hit by a van on Roger Penny Way in the New Forest

It happened in the early hours of Tuesday (13th May) close to Deadman corner near Godshill.

It's the first livestock death in 15 weeks, which road safety campaigners noted was the longest period without a fatality in ten years.

It bring the death toll this year to eight with the injury figure at nine.

The B3078 runs from Cadnam to Godshill and is one of the worst routes for animal accidents.

Gilly Jones from the New Forest Roads Awareness says she was saddened by the news

"It's such a loss not only to the commoner but to the Forest as well. This is one little life who really didn't have a chance to live the wonderful free roaming life that we hope all our ponies do."

Although pleased with the long period without any accidents Gilly warns this time of year with foals about is particularly worrying.

"At the moment the foals are these skittish little things that will hurtle around not knowing and having no concept what your vehicle is."

She's urging drivers to be extra vigilant and to pass all livestock 'wide and slow'.

Meanwhile efforts to educate drivers continue, yesterday 60 people were caught breaking the 40mph limit across the National Park.

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