A3 horse rescue was 'frightening for everyone'

4 hours ago

Patrick BarlowSouth East

News image — Peter Bound helped to rescue a horse, called Rado, which bolted on to the A3 near Wisley on Tuesday

Peter Bound A man, Peter Bound, in an orange hi-vis shirt. He is stood holding the reins of a white and black speckled horse, with a red blanket covering it. — Peter Bound helped to rescue a horse, called Rado, which bolted on to the A3 near Wisley on Tuesday

A man who helped to catch a horse which bolted on to the A3 says the experience was "frightening for everyone", but is glad that the animal was recovered safely.

Peter Bound, a telehandler driver for the Environment Agency, was driving along the road near Wisley, Surrey, on Tuesday when he spotted the escaped horse on a verge by the side of the road, before it moved into the carriageway.

Bound, along with other passers-by, helped to slow traffic so he could approach the horse and bring it to the side of the road, where it was looked after until police officers arrived.

He told BBC Radio Surrey: "You never know what animals are going to do, but you have to speak to them calmly."

Bound, who said he had had previous experience with farm animals, added: "The horse looked well cared for.

"Everyone else was zooming past and it was frightening for everyone. It's all about communication with the animals.

Peter Bound A horse with a red blanket covering it walking in the outside lane of a multi-lane carriageway, It is next to the metal barrier in the central reservation. — Bound said the horse was originally spotted on a nearby verge, before later walking into the outside lane

"Everyone is just so thankful."

The animal, which Surrey Police said was called Rado, had escaped from a nearby field at about 07:35 GMT, forcing the road to close while it was safely moved to a nearby service station.

Surrey Police said a three-vehicle collision separately occurred on the A3 while the incident was ongoing and one person was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Officers attended the scene alongside the South East Coast Ambulance Service and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.

Bound said the horse was led to the nearby service station, where it was returned to its owner.

The road was later reopened.

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