Compensation news
22/02/2011

Horse owner could have been liable for vehicle accident

A major vehicle accident involving a runaway pony on a busy Peterborough road was avoided when the animal's mother appeared on the scene.

The road traffic drama began in mid-morning on the busy Paston Parkway, which is part of the A15, the city's eastern bypass, with drivers braking heavily to avoid the foal which had escaped from a field alongside the road and began running among the cars.

Six police officers closed the road and tried unsuccessfully to catch the frightened foal with ropes.

A member of the public, equipped with a bridle and food, attempted to calm the pony and RSPCA inspectors were also on the scene which was watched by drivers and passengers who were stuck in their vehicles.

After nearly an hour, the incident unexpectedly ended when another horse, apparently the foal's mother, emerged from a field onto the road which seemed to calm the younger animal. It then followed her back away from the traffic.

Although the incident ended happily without causing damage to the horse or personal injury to any road user, if a vehicle accident had arisen as a result of the activities of the runaway, its owner might have been liable for meeting a compensation claim made by anyone who suffered as a result.