New Forest Roads Awareness campaign group shares image of pony killed on B3078 Roger Penny Way to highlight need for drivers to take extra care as nights draw in
A HARD-HITTING image of a commoner standing over a dead pony was shared to urge drivers to take extra care on New Forest roads as the nights draw in.
Jenny Cavanna’s filly, Flossie, was killed when she was struck by a car on the B3078 Roger Penny Way, near Bramshaw, last Saturday morning – less than 24 hours before the clocks were due to go back.
The driver involved stopped and reported the incident, but it came within two days of a hit-and-run on the same animal accident black spot route.
That collision, which took place at Deadman Hill, also resulted in a pony’s death.
A reward of up to £5,000 is being offered by the verderers for any information that leads to a successful conviction.
In a post about Saturday’s accident, shared online by campaign group New Forest Roads Awareness Jenny’s daughter Eloise thanked the driver involved for stopping.
But she expressed concern at the reckless behaviour of other road users that she and her mother witnessed when going to see Flossie’s body.
“Mummy received a phone call from the agister saying that one of our Forest-run fillies had been hit and killed,” she said.
“Fortunately, the driver stopped and reported the accident. As a commoning family, we are extremely grateful that the driver did, as it made the situation a little easier for us to deal with.
“However, on our way to the accident we were overtaken by three cars whilst on the road the filly was killed on.
“Please, when driving through the Forest be mindful of the livestock especially now the clocks [have gone back].”
New Forest Roads Awareness campaigner Gilly Jones stressed speed was not always the reason for livestock being struck by vehicles.
“We are just reminding people to be aware,” she told the A&T.
“Ponies don’t have watches, they don’t know the clocks have gone back. They will carry on using their usual routes.
“This is a reminder for people to give themselves more time so that everyone gets to their destination safely.”
