A police horse has died and his rider left injured after colliding with a metal pole while on duty at a Bank Holiday football match.
The horse, called Morecambe, was on patrol at the League One game between Blackpool and Fleetwood at Bloomfield Road when the tragic accident occurred.
Lancashire Constabulary said the horse suffered a serious stomach injury and was pronounced dead at the scene on Seasiders Way at around 5.20pm on Monday.
Morecambe received urgent medical attention from a vet but was pronounced dead at around 5.20pm.
The rider is believed to have fallen onto the side of a horsebox and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital.
The force said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and that it was being treated as a “tragic accident”.
Chief Inspector Sue Bushell, of Lancashire Constabulary’s mounted branch, said: “We are all completely devastated by the loss of Morecambe in such tragic circumstances.
“The horses are a big part of our police family and Morecambe will be sorely missed by his riders and many colleagues from across the force.”
