AN Exmoor pony knocked down and killed last week by a speeding truck which failed to stop was an award-winning mare.

The incident was witnessed by horrified driver Gina McIntyre, of Exford, who has pleaded with drivers to take care driving on Exmoor and not endanger the lives of the ponies.

Gina was driving home from work in Dulverton last Thursday evening (September 15), followed by friends in a car behind her, when they spotted three ponies crossing the road.

“It was really dark at about 8pm, and we had stopped when we saw three ponies crossing, just after the first cattle grid onto the moor from Dulverton to Winsford Hill,” she said.

“This black Mitsubishi truck just came from nowhere and overtook both our cars in one go, even though there was a corner up ahead.

“I hooted, he was going at great speed and I knew something was going to happen.

“I saw one pony go up the bank and another bowled over, it was horrible, chaotic, and he just carried on driving with no conscience whatsoever.

“I got out and started looking but it was so dark I couldn’t see anything.

“I rang the police to report it. I couldn’t sleep that night – it was a tragic accident that needn’t have happened, just an impatient driver who gave the ponies no time to move off the road.”

Gina said the police contacted the owners of the herd, who searched and found one of the ponies was lame, but her injuries turned out to be more serious and she had to be put down.

“The owners are not looking for compensation or anything, but it is a criminal offence, these are an endangered species, they are rare,” said Gina