Horse dies after crash on the edge of Market Harborough

The seriously-injured stray animal had to be “destroyed” after colliding with a van on Clack Hill on Kettering Road at the junction with the A6.

A second distressed stray horse also found lying injured in the road is being assessed and treated by a local vet.

The devastating accident, which also involved a second vehicle, happened at about 5.30am.

Police from both Leicestershire and Northamptonshire along with firefighters and paramedics all raced to the scene as the smash sparked a full-scale 999 emergency service operation.

The crash triggered major rush-hour traffic congestion to the south and east of Harborough after the busy A6 was shut in both directions.

The road was reopened just before 9am, police said.

Police have now launched an investigation into the incident as officers strive to establish what happened.

At least 15 firefighters from throughout the area dashed to the spot after the alarm was raised.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service sent an appliance from Harborough, an appliance from Kibworth and an appliance from Billesdon.

And they were backed up by a specialist ‘technical rescue/large animal rescue team’ from Leicester’s Southern Fire Station.

Thousands of morning rush-hour motorists were hit as a three-mile stretch of the A6 between the A576 and A4304 roundabout was closed.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: “Officers were called at 5.30am this morning (2 March) to a report of a number of injured horses on the A6 at Market Harborough, towards Desborough.

“On arrival it was found that two horses were lying injured in the road.

“A road traffic collision had also occurred, involving two vehicles – a van and a car – but it’s unclear as to whether either vehicle collided with the horses or not.

“An investigation is being carried out into the circumstances.”

She said Northamptonshire Police also attended and the critically-injured horse had to be put to sleep.

“The road was closed for a number of hours but re-opened just before 9am,” she said.

An East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said two casualties were taken to Kettering General Hospital.

He said: “We received a call at 5.35am on 2 March to Kettering Road in Market Harborough.

“The caller reported that there had been a road traffic collision.

“We sent a paramedic in a fast response car and two road ambulances.

“Two patients were taken to Kettering General Hospital via road ambulances.”