Lorry's near-miss with police horses 'could have been fatal'

South Yorkshire Police appealed for witnesses and information after the incident at the roundabout near Dearne Valley College.

Mounted officers PC Julie Bradshaw and PC Rachel Hodgkinson were patrolling the area on police horses called Stocksbridge and Brinsworth.

The horses were about to leave an exit when a HGV approached them from behind on August 10.

“The officers noticed that the driver had not seen them, and began shouting at him to gain his attention,” said a police spokesman. 

“The horses and officers were extremely shaken up but physically unharmed.”

Dave Driver, the force’s mounted operational manager, said: “The lack of attention from the driver could have had extremely serious, or even fatal consequences, for both horses and riders.

“The driver failed to stop at the scene and drove off as the officers gained composure of the horses. 

“We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, or may have been driving in the area at the time and have dash-cam footage of the HGV prior to or following the incident.

“I would also like to express my thanks to a driver passing by who ensured that both officers and horses were okay.”

Anyone with information is urged to make contact via SYP’s online reporting portal or by calling 101,  quoting incident 288 of August 16.