A MAN has been summoned to court after a crash in the New Forest where a pony died.

A 25-year-old man from Woodgreen has been reported for summons for driving without due care and attention.

This comes after officers attended a collision involving a vehicle and a pony on Saturday August 7 just before 8.50pm on Roger Penny Way.

The pony died as a result of injuries sustained.

A statement from Hampshire Constabulary said: "We received a report of a road traffic collision at 8.47pm on Saturday 7 August between a white BMW and a horse on Roger Penny Way. Sadly, the horse died as a result of the injuries it sustained.

"A 25-year-old man from Woodgreen was voluntarily interviewed under caution. He was later reported for summons for driving without due care and attention."

A post on the New Forest Cops Facebook page urged drivers to take care on the roads.

The post said: "It is a timely reminder to local residents, and those visiting the area, that there is a speed limit in many of the New Forest areas for a reason – and it is exactly that, a limit – not a target. Ponies, horses and other wild animals cross these roads day and night and it is well sign-posted in these high-risk areas.

"We would ask that road users factor that hazards such as animals can appear at any moment, especially during the hours of darkness, so please adhere to the speed limits.

"As road users, we have road sense, while these animal do not - it is our duty as road users to afford them safe passage by driving carefully and considerately when in the Forest."

Hampshire's police and crime commissioner has pledged to speak with senior police officers about reducing speeding and animal accidents in the New Forest.

Donna Jones, the new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, visited the New Forest to discuss issues including rural crime and antisocial behaviour.

During her tour she met the leader of New Forest District Council (NFDC), Cllr Edward Heron, who is also a councillor on Hampshire County Council (HCC), and the Official Verderer, Lord Manners.

They discussed calls for average speed cameras to be installed on the B3078 Roger Penny Way.

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