A MOTHER and daughter narrowly escaped serious injury when a hit-and-run driver crashed into one of their ponies.

And riders are appealing to drivers to slow down after a car ploughed into the back of another horse, which had to be destroyed.

The hit-and-run happened in Minster Lovell, near Witney, as Fiona Ferris, of Leafield, was leading her pony Isobel through the village with her ten-year-old daughter Amy riding her pony, Polly.

A battered brown or maroon-coloured van speeding through the village hit Mrs Ferris's pony, narrowly missed Amy and her pony, and then drove off without stopping.

Mrs Ferris suffered whiplash injuries and the pony was cut and bruised. Police are appealing for witnesses.

The other collision happened on the B4017 in Boars Hill, near Oxford. Riders Paula Simmonds and Christine Palmer were thrown from their horses but escaped serious injury.

The driver stopped and a vet was called but one horse had to be put down.

Together with fellow rider Cas Saunders, 39, of Henwood Drive, Boars Hill, they are now appealing for drivers to slow down on the road.

Story date: Thursday 18 February

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