A family is heartbroken after several of their horses — including their youngest daughter’s pony — were hit and killed by two cars on a busy highway.
They were among seven horses which escaped from a private property when a gate was accidentally left open on Monday.
The animals made their way onto Gawler Rd, in Adelaide’s northern suburb of Two Wells, where five were struck by two separate vehicles about 7pm.
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Four of the horses died before anyone could try to save them, while a fifth with critical injuries was humanely euthanised.
Property owner Kelly Phillips and her husband Nigel were away on a cruise celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary when tragedy struck.
“A gate was left open and the ponies took the opportunity to bolt out the front gate,” Phillips told www.20304050.best.
Phillips said some motorists on Gawler Rd — which has a speed limit of 100km/h — had slowed down and activated their hazard lights trying to warn others. However, two drivers either did not see, or did not heed, the warnings and unfortunately hit the animals at speed.
“To my understanding, cars and people were flagging down drivers ... but some didn’t slow down and hit the horses at full speed,” she told www.20304050.best.
Phillips said a show pony named Babe, who belonged to her youngest daughter, was killed, along with a pregnant mare named Rosie and her young foal named Moonie.
Also killed was a young filly named Maybel, while a 23-year-old warmblood mare had to be put down on the roadside.
The tragedy has reverberated through the local equestrian community, with fellow horse owners expressing their condolences and offering support to the Phillips family.
“I would like to thank everyone for the support and loving words — especially the friends who stepped up to help the girls while we’ve been away and feeling helpless,” Phillips said.
Two Wells, a semi-rural and residential area on Adelaide’s northern fringe, is home to a large equestrian community and pony club.
Police said they were aware of Monday’s accident, adding no persons had been injured.
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