Four ponies die in crash on New Forest
Warning: Report contains upsetting images
Last updated 2nd Jan 2021
Four ponies died in a New Year's Eve crash on Roger Penny Way last night (Thursday 31st December) after being struck by a 4 x 4 near Brook.
Hampshire Police released a picture showing the damage to the vehicle involved on social media. The male driver was unhurt.
The force said the ponies were hit while licking freshly laid salt on the road.
The New Forest Roads Awareness group later said dazzling headlights were also a factor.
HIGH-RISK ROUTE
Roger Penny Way, which runs from Cadnam to Godshill, has now claimed NINE lives in less than three weeks.
On December 28th, two sheep were killed in a hit and run near the turning to Fritham and Bramshaw.
Part of a bumper of an Audi was found at the scene.
One died instantly the other was left with a broken back and had to be put down by an agister.
A passing motorist and her friend stopped to try and help, taking these heartbreaking pictures.
Whilst on the morning of the 12th December, at the same spot, three donkeys died. The animals were killed outright after being struck by a van.
In March 2019 Roger Penny Way was identified as one of the high-risk routes for animal accidents.
The New Forest National Park Authority says "every animal is a loss to its owner and the Forest."
REPEATED PLEAS FOR DRIVERS TO TAKE EXTRA CARE
The NPA along with other forest organisations have issued several pleas over the last few weeks for drivers to slow down and take extra care.
Bad weather in winter can make ponies, donkeys and pigs hard to spot while dazzling oncoming headlights can often obscure livestock.
Gilly Jones from the New Forest Roads Awareness group says extra care should also be taken when the temperatures drop
"We want to remind people again, that when you go across a Cattle grid, you WILL encounter stock. The roads are now being gritted, which is for driver safety. The animals find the salt irresistible, and do lick the tarmac day and night."
Gilly also posted this heartbreaking picture she took earlier this week at Hilltop in which she says "the cattle appear to be mourning the loss of the young calf."
WHAT CAN DRIVERS DO TO REDUCE THE RISK OF BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT?
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH LIVESTOCK
You are legally obliged to report all accidents involving a pony, cow, donkey, pig or sheep to the Police as soon as possible, and within 24hrs at the latest. Call the Police on 999 (for an emergency) or 101 (non-emergency).