by Peter Barnett

A horse was put down after suffering injuries when it ran wild on the Haine Road at Ramsgate and was struck by a van.

Police say the animal unseated its woman rider and bolted onto the busy A256 link road between Lord of the Manor and Westwood Cross at around 12.40pm Wednesday.

A spokesman said: "The horse hit a van coming in the opposite direction and smashed through the vehicle's windscreen.

"Ambulance crews and a doctor assisted with the horse until a vet was able to reach the scene, but the animal had to be put down because of its injuries.

"The horse rider was not injured in the incident and the van driver suffered shock and cuts and bruises."

The road was closed until after 5pm with diversions around the area.