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  • "If it's a blind bend he ought to have been slowing down as he approached. If a road seems to 'disappear' you slow down to an appropriate speed to negotiate it, not carry on regardless. Such incidents should be dealt with by compulsory IAM training, with the culprit paying, as it might help save a life, next time he's in such a situation."
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Driver fined for hitting a horse on a tight bend

8:30pm Friday 27th April 2012 in News

A DOCTOR who misjudged a tight bend as he drove up to it hit a horse, sending its rider flying through the air.

James Kendrick was driving his Vauxhall Astra through Phepson, near Droitwich, at 10.45am on September 17 last year when he veered onto the wrong side of the road as he navigated the bend.

The 24-year-old, of New Road, Elmley Castle, near Pershore, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention when he appeared at Worcester magistrates court.

Samantha Webley, prosecuting, said the road in question was a country lane with a national speed limit and a right-hand blind bend.

Reading a statement from the victim, Mrs Webley said: “As we two horse riders approached the bend we were riding slightly offset. Because of the bend, we were both tight into the bend. The Astra was completely on the wrong side of the road.”

The car hit the shoulder of one of the two horses and the woman was thrown onto the windscreen and roof of the doctor’s car. Kendrick got out of the car and the woman asked him if the driver of the car was all right, to which he replied that he was the driver.

Mrs Webley said the rider’s friend had heard the car and moved onto the grass verge. Becky Connelly, defending, said Kendrick did not accept the facts of the case entirely.

“This is a very unfortunate case with sad consequences. He approached the bend at 20 or 30mph, but hadn’t appreciated how tight the bend was. As he took the turn he became aware of the horses in the road.

“It’s a blind bend. He would not have been aware of them as he took the bend. He attempted to stop, but it was not sufficient to stop. He accepts that some of his vehicle was over some of the line, but not all over the line.

“There wasn’t time for anything other than a minor lapse of concentration.”

Magistrates did not accept Kendrick’s defence and he was fined £260 and received five penalty points.

He must pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

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