Mystery of late-night ‘explosions’
Residents tormented by loud bangs after dark Pony dies after ‘sonic boom’ causes stampede
ASERIES of loud late-night booming noises have left residents baffled. The mystery noises have been heard in the area several times a week for the last month, generally between 10pm and midnight.
They are described as a ‘loud bang like a bomb’ and often followed by a puff of smoke and have been repeatedly reported to the police. One resident described them as sounding like a ‘sonic boom’. The police and council are all unable to explain what is causing them.
The bangs - which are most audible around Britannia and Stacksteads - caused around 10 panicked horses and ponies to bolt and run for two miles after dark on Sunday, August 5.
A four-year-old pony called Bugsy suffered fatal injuries. Her owner Lucy Radcliffe said: “The people doing this are mindless and responsible for what happened to Bugsy.”
ALEX SCAPENS
AD E VA S TAT E D owner had to have her pony put down after it was spooked by the mysterious loud bangs that have been blighting residents, and ran into a gate.
Lucy Radcliffe, 53, has hit out at whoever is responsible for the earsplitting noises that have been heard at night for the last month.
The bangs - which are most audible around Britannia and Stacksteads - caused around 10 panicked horses and ponies to bolt and run for two miles after dark on Sunday, August 5.
Four were injured by crashing through either fences or gates and one, a four-year-old called Bugsy regularly ridden by Lucy’s grandson and his friends, was too injured to survive.
It is uncertain what exactly is causing the loud bangs but police say that they have received numerous reports about the issue.
Lucy, from Whitworth, said: “The people doing this are mindless and responsible for what happened to Bugsy.
“I am angry and the kids were traumatised when I told them. The injury was horrific, you could see the bone but Bugsy was so brave.
“The ponies went through a metal gate and it shows the force with which they did and how scared they were. One had a hoof print on its bum from being trampled on.
“Ponies like Bugsy are hard to find, she was lovely and great with the children. They loved her and would tell their friends all about her.”
The other injured animals are in recovery having received veterinary treatment after they came to rest on land off Rochdale Road.
These include a pony called Lady, who has been left with a deep cut to her leg which requires bandaging.
Lucy has thanked slaughterman Peter Boddy for his sensitive approach to helping put down Bugsy.
She added: “She was loved and will be deeply missed. Every weekend Bugsy was with the children.
“I am determined to find out who is doing this. It is not just my horses, other animals are being scared.”
The matter has been reported to the police, who were called the next morning and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
A spokesman confirmed officers were called to the injured animals and are investigating.
Anyone with information about the bangs can contact police on 101 quoting reference number 489 of August 6, 2018. ●● Pony Lady who was injured in the stampede, and (inset) her injuries