A horse had to be put down after the box it was travelling in flew across a busy road into a parked lorry.

The horsebox was attached to the back of a Land Rover but came loose in Radford Way, Billericay.

The box swerved across the road and hit a lorry which was parked up to make a delivery to the Jewson building yard.

Although no people were injured, the incident blocked the road and diversions were put in place for three hours.

PC Steve Deats, at Laindon traffic police, said: "As a result, the vet was called and the horse had to be destroyed. There were no other injuries but the owners were extremely traumatised."

Denis Hart, of Atridge Chase, Billericay, saw the effects of the accident as he drove past the scene.

He said: "The road was closed for some time and a truck had to lift the horse up. It looked very serious and is not the first accident that has happened there. We call it 'death corner' because it is notorious for accidents."

PC Deats added: "The owners had taken every precaution to make sure the box was secure but it seems as though it could have been due to corrosion."

Published Monday, April 8, 2002