FIREFIGHTERS are urging horse-owners to check their fields and paddocks are secure after a collision on the Marlow bypass.

A horse was killed on Monday morning after straying on to the A404. It was involved in a collision with a Ford Transit van, which then caught fire.

Watch Manager Richard Boast, from Marlow Fire Station, said: “The horse was wearing a blanket and we believe it had somehow managed to get out of an adjacent field.

“It then strayed into the path of a van travelling towards Handy Cross.

“This was a tragic incident for the horse and owner and could have had serious consequences for the driver.

“We are appealing to everyone who keeps a horse to carry out regular checks to make sure that the animal is kept in a secure area.

“For example, making sure that a perimeter fence is kept in good repair could be all it takes to avoid a future tragedy.”

Firefighters were called to the incident at 4.18am and were at the scene for about an hour.

Police said the van driver was not injured.