A carriage horse pulling a hearse in a funeral procession has been killed after being hit by a car.
A coachman was also injured in the accident that took place on Tuesday (23 February).
The procession was on Bryncoch Road, just off the Sarn Bypass in Bridgend, Wales.
Police received reports of the accident at 10.40am and arrived 11 minutes after the accident.
The horse was put down by a vet as a result of his injuries.
“A collision did occur,” a South Wales Police spokesman told H&H. “One male coach master sustained minor injuries but a horse was seriously injured and had to be euthanised by a vet.”
According to local reports, the procession was making its way to Coychurch Crematorium.
“The car ploughed into the side and the windows of the hearse just seemed to explode, the horse was badly injured and the coach master was hurt too,” a family member told Wales Online.
The family praised the funeral directors who ensured that the funeral went ahead after the crash.
Police investigation
“This was an extremely unfortunate incident and our thoughts are with the carriage master and owner of the horse at this very sad time,” said Jack Walsh of Co-op Funeralcare.
“We continue to work with the police and I would like to express my thanks to our colleagues on handling this sensitive situation so professionally.”
The incident is now under police investigation and no arrests have been made.
