Two horses were killed in a stampede which caused delays and closures along two major roads.
In the evening last Thursday (October 6), 15 horses were seen charging down Galley Lane, near High Barnet, where they collided with three cars, causing damage.
No drivers were injured, but the confusion led to road closures in both directions of the M25 at junction 23 and on the A1 southbound at the junction with South Mimms around 9.30pm.
⚠️TRAFFIC ALERT: Police currently dealing with horses on the loose Galley Lane, EN5 near the A1 Please avoid the area @BBCTravelAlert
— Barnet MPS (@MPSBarnet) 6 October 2016
The horses had escaped from “a nearby field,” according to Hertfordshire police, though they did not confirm whether anyone was at fault for the incident.
Julie Dene, who lives in Galley Lane with her husband and two children, witnessed the stampede from her home and was shocked by the aftermath the next day.
The 53-year-old photographer said: “It was absolutely horrific, the madness unfolding down our street was like nothing you could ever imagine.
“The horses seemed wild, almost possessed, and there was nothing the drivers could do to move out of the way.
Update: #ResponseTeamB working with @HertsPolice @NPASLondon have quickly located the loose horses and notified owners.
— Barnet MPS (@MPSBarnet) 7 October 2016
“Friday morning was surreal, walking my daughter to school along a road stained with blood and marked by hooves – I haven’t felt safe along the street since, which I never expected.”
All 15 horses were recovered, though two were found dead and others which were injured received treatment at South Mimms by vets called to the scene.
Following the incident, the M25 re-opened at 10.50pm and the A1 reopened around 11.10pm.
The roads were closed while emergency services and the council retrieved the horses and ensured the roads were safe to use again.
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