A mother and daughter heading to Brighton to practice for a major show jumping event were caught up in a dramatic motorway rescue this afternoon.

Lisa and Emily Martin, from Faversham, were driving down the M20 when they noticed the engine of their horse box was on fire.

In the back were their two horses, a 10-year-old thoroughbred called Burberry and an eight year old Dutch warmblood called Laureta.

They quickly pulled on to the London-bound hard shoulder, close to junction 6 for Maidstone, and with the help of passing motorists were able to get the two animals out of the lorry uninjured.

By coincidence dressage rider George Williams, and his mother Nastasha Williams, were caught in the queuing traffic and happened to have a horse box with two spare places.

They drove down the hard shoulder to meet the unfortunate pair and gave them a lift to The Village Hotel, in Aylesford, where they met with friend Jo Rayfield, who runs the All About Horses Transport business, who took them home.

Daughter Emily, 20, said: “It was really scary. My mum was driving and suddenly sparks just lit up in the cab.

“We have a little hole where we can see into the engine and I saw the flames come up.
“We had to get out of there quick, it was instinctive to get ourselves and the horses out as quickly as possible.

“A few people stopped to help us. Thankfully someone waiting in the traffic had a horse box and with two spare spaces. We’re really grateful for the help.

“The horses were a little bit startled but they were really well behaved and really calm with it all. I think they are ok, they are back in their stables now.

“We think the vehicle is going to have to be scrapped. We don’t even know where it is right now. We’ve been given a number to call tomorrow.”

The pair were heading to the south coast to do some training ahead of the Hickstead Derby Meeting, a four day championship which starts on June 24.

It is thought that the horses will be fit to compete but they will have to hire a vehicle to transport them there.

Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene at around 12.50pm.
Two fire engines tackled the fire while police officers helped calm traffic.

The motorway was briefly blocked in both directions but the coast-bound lane soon re-opened.

The London-bound section was not fully open until around 2pm and there was about 20 minutes worth of queuing traffic.