A young man driving along a narrow road in St James found himself having to contend not only with the horse power under his bonnet, but that on top of his car after a stray horse ended up all over his third party-insured vehicle.
Before he realised what had struck him, the animal had disappeared into the night.
Justin Oliver, 27, of St James, was driving along Rock Dundo, when he came across the animal crossing the road.
“It was around 6:20 last night. The road is small so when I was going down I see a horse and I slow down,” he said.
But it was already too late as the horse came crashing into the right side of the small vehicle. Oliver said the animal’s head struck the windshield, damaging it, while the body collided with the side, destroying the side mirror and window.
With glass flying in his face, Oliver said he was too shocked to be afraid.
“It took me two minutes to get out of the car and when I looked back, there was nothing behind me, the horse was gone,” he said.
Oliver said he sought medical attention for seat belt burns, various pains and a headache which still persisted. Even so, he said he felt mixed about the whole thing.
“Although I sorry it happen, I glad too because it could have happened when my pregnant girlfriend was in the car or with someone else who may not have been so lucky,” he said, adding that the car was covered only by third party insurance, so he had to find the money for repairs.
Third Ave Rock Dundo resident Gabriel “Shakka” Phillips saw the accident and told the SUNDAY SUN there were at least two horses in the area causing havoc.
“I was on my way home and I saw a car coming from behind me. At the same time I saw a horse in front me coming into the road. When I was about to go into my house I hear this loud collision and I saw the horse on top the car,” he said.
Phillips said he ran over to check on Oliver, who did not immediately respond. He also said the drama was not quite over yet.
“There was another horse coming but I waved at it and it run off. The whole thing frighten me. I told myself I hope he good because that impact jump me,” he said.
Phillips said the horses was an all too often sighted in the community at any time of day or night, often causing people to “pull up”.
He described the situation as “havoc, danger and a lot of drama”.
Oliver’s irate father, Junior Wilson, blamed the Ministry of Transport and Works. He said it was ironic for inspectors to make sure cars were roadworthy but not the roads themselves. He also said the situation could have been made much worse.
“We’re talking about promoting tourism yet you have an area totally unsafe. Picture a van load of tourists there and a horse inflicting injury or death to them. Or if a tourist was driving a mini moke,” he said.
The SUNDAY SUN also contacted chief inspector of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Wayne Norville, about the situation.
He believes the authorities need to pay more attention to the problem of stray horses.
“I am wondering if they are going to wait until some tourist gets in the same problem and if one of them is killed. Mine and your taxes will have to pay because the family can sue Government. It is time to stop saying it is not my business and do something.”
Norville also expressed sympathy for Oliver, who he said now had to foot the bill for the accident.
