Horse drowns in river plunge

A horse drowned after throwing its rider and plunging into a swollen river at Shropshire's Eyton races.

The six-year-old bay gelding left the track at Eyton-on-Severn yesterday before falling into the water.

Officials and vets rushed to the horse's aid but it was swept away in the flooded river and has not yet been found. The incident happened during the second race of the day at the site near Wroxeter.

Phil Jones, chairman of the organising committee of Eyton Races, said: "Normally if a horse goes in the river it will swim out again but in this case the river was in flood from the storm we had had the night before and that is what has caused the tragic accident.

"This severe storm had got the river in quite fast flow. Course officials and a veterinary officer tried all they could to get to the horse but unfortunately the flow of the river was against them.

"Our thoughts are very much with the connections of the horse. We have not had this happen before and it marred what was otherwise a successful event."

The horse is believed to have come from outside the area. Thousands of people visit Eyton-on-Severn on Easter Monday for the annual point-to-point.

Between 8,000 and 10,000 people turn out to enjoy the racing. This particular type of horse racing is reserved for animals used in hunts.