Horses die after lorry crashes into river

The scene of the truck crash at Brown's Barn Bridge at Inistioge, Co Kilkenny, yesterday. The driver and a passenger suffered only minor injuries

June 06 2009 04:44 AM

THREE horses were killed yesterday after a lorry careered off a bridge and toppled into a river, writes Stephen O'Farrell.

The horses, which were in the back of the truck, had to be put down following the crash at Brown's Barn Bridge over the River Nore at Inistioge, near Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

The driver and a passenger had a lucky escape and only suffered minor injuries.

It is understood there were eight horses, including four foals, being transported at the time of the crash at 10.30am yesterday.

"The two people are OK. One hurt his leg and the other hurt his arm, so they were really lucky," a fire official said. "They lost three horses, though."

Gardai are investigating the cause of the incident and it is understood that the driver lost control of the vehicle.