Horsebox overturns on A23 with two horses inside

The incident happened around 5pm where the junction of the A2300 meets the A23 northbound at Hickstead.

Two horses were inside the horsebox when it overturned.

But Sussex Police have now confirmed that the horses did not suffer any serious injuries after the close call.

A spokeswoman said: “Police were called to reports of an overturned horsebox on the A23 at Bolney around 4.50pm on Monday, June 27.

“No injuries were reported.

“The road was closed temporarily to allow the horses to be safely moved off the carriageway and for the horsebox to be recovered.”

The Hickstead Derby finished on Sunday, June 26. Picture by Terry Applin

A witness stuck in traffic on the southbound side of the A23 said she saw two horses that “seemed fine” being led away following the crash.

A West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) confirmed the horses had "no injuries".

A spokeswoman said: "At 4.50pm yesterday afternoon, June 27, we responded to a road traffic collision involving a horse box on the A23 northbound, Bolney.

"Joint fire control sent fire engines from Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath to the scene, as well as a heavy rescue tender from Crawley Fire Station.

"On arrival, it was confirmed that nobody was trapped and two horses had been released with no injuries, prior to the arrival of the fire service.

"The A23 was closed in both directions for approximately 30 minutes while firefighters and Sussex Police made the scene safe and recovery of the horse box took place."

The crash happened the day after the Hickstead Derby meeting on Sunday, although it was unclear if the horses involved in the crash were part of the event.

The road was closed briefly while the horses were rescued and the horsebox recovered.

There were three miles of traffic with queues back to Hurstpierpoint but the road was soon reopened. The traffic time was around 30 minutes to get through.