Stray pony pair rescued after railway escape
TRAINS COME TO STANDSTILL AFTER ANIMALS BREAK OUT
TWO ponies narrowly escaped unharmed after being found running loose on a railway line.
Residents of Brendon Crescent in Billingham were alerted to the unusual sight on Tuesday, August 9, after an oncoming train managed to brake in time to avoid hitting the horses. British Transport Police received a report at 11.15am and arrived to help remove the animals.
Since the animals were in relatively good health, albeit shaken up, it is thought that they may have entered through a gap in a fence.
When contacted by The Gazette, a representative of the British Transport Police said: “We received a report at 11.15am on Tuesday, August 9, of horses on the line near Billingham. Trains were on hold while officers attended and searched the scene. Two horses were then located and later safely removed from the tracks.”
One nearby resident was quick to offer assistance. Gareth Wakes, 35, a locksmith who lives on Brendan Crescent, has “adopted” the ponies, naming them Ronnie and Reggie. He said: “I was just pulling on to the drive from a job when I saw my neighbour run past and she said that there were two horses on the railway line.
“Network Rail came round to my house and apparently the horses had held up a couple of trains for an hour and a half, and this train was just trying to creep past them, we had a bit of a moment where we were trying to keep the horses off to the side so the train could get past.”
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “I’d like to thank passengers and the community in Billingham for their support while we moved two horses safely away from the railway. Since the incident, we’ve looked into the cause and repaired a section of fencing to avoid this happening again.”
After police arrived at the scene, they informed the RSPCA but the animal rescue service has yet to get in touch with Gareth, who said: “Basically the police contacted the RSPCA and they had a bit of to and fro between them about who’s job it was to deal with it, I gave them my details but no one has been in touch. The horses are just here in my garden.
“I know that sounds cruel but they’re small horses and it’s a huge garden.”
The Gazette has approached the RSPCA for comment.