Loose Horses on the A3 Cause Major Road Incident Closing the Northbound Carriageway

Published on: 15 Jan, 2026
Updated on: 15 Jan, 2026

Northbound traffic backed up on the A3 this morning. Ben Darnton

Motorists on the A3 have suffered major disruption this morning when the northbound carriageway was closed after collisions between vehicles and loose horses. Three horses are reported to have been killed.

A Surrey Police spokesperson said: “A road closure is currently in place on the A3 Northbound Ripley Bypass, with traffic being diverted off at Send, following reports of two vehicles involved in collisions with loose horses.

“Officers were called to the location at around 1.40am this morning (January 15) following reports of two loose horses involved in a collision with a lorry on the A3. Shortly after, a separate call came in regarding a collision with a car and horse. Sadly, three horses were found deceased at the scene upon officer arrival. Officers are engaging with the drivers of both vehicles as part of ongoing enquiries.

“The road has temporarily been closed and diversions in place as Highways England look to carefully remove the deceased horses from the main road. We will update when the road re-opens as soon as possible.”

Responses to Loose Horses on the A3 Cause Major Road Incident Closing the Northbound Carriageway

Paul Robinson Reply

January 17, 2026 at 7:15 pm

The question has to be asked why a major arterial route to the M25 and London was closed for the best part of 12 hours for three dead horses? I recognise the tragedy of the loss of the horses and the way they died, but why did the horses have to be “carefully” removed from the road? They were not injured but dead.

I fully understand prolonged road closures for serious accidents were a fatality or very serious injury has occurred for the collection of evidence, but why for three dead horses that escaped from a field?