A 50-year-old man and two horses have died after cars crashed into loose animals on the M18 near Doncaster today.
Two other people were left injured after the incident in the early hours of this morning, which saw a number of horses roam free and three cars crash into the animals.
The motorway remained closed in both directions as a result of the collision for much of the day. Police are now appealing for witnesses or people who may have footage of the incident to come forward.
South Yorkshire Police said the 50-year-old man was driving a Skoda Superb when he collided with one of the animals at about 4.45am on Friday morning.
A second Skoda Octavia vehicle hit a horse that was loose on the busy road at about the same time, before a third vehicle, a Vauxhall Vivaro, was then involved.
Two horses died following the incident. The driver of the Skoda Octavia and the Vauxhall Vivaro suffered non-life threatening injuries, police said.
The motorway remained closed southbound between junctions four and five this evening, according to National Highways, while the northbound carriageway reopened at about 4pm.
Police appealed for witnesses to come forward, adding that they are keen to trace the owner of the horses.
The scene of the collision on the M18 near Doncaster this morning
A man died and two horses were killed after the animals became loose on the motorway
South Yorkshire Police said in a statement: ‘Following a tragic fatal collision on the M18 in Doncaster, we are appealing for witnesses, those with footage, and the owners of horses involved to come forward.
‘At 4.44am today, we were called to reports of a collision at junction four of the motorway.
‘Officers responded to initial reports of two collisions involving two horses and two Skoda vehicles.
‘Initial enquiries have led officers to understand that a Blue Skoda Octavia was in collision with one horse, and a grey Skoda Superb was in collision with a second horse who were loose in the carriageway.
‘Following the collision involving the Skoda vehicles, a second collision has occurred involving a Vauxhall Vivaro and one of the horses.
‘The driver of Skoda Superb, a 50-year-old man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His family has been informed, and our thoughts are with them at this time.
‘The driver of a Skoda Octavia and Vauxhall Vivaro suffered injuries that are not believed to be life threatening.
‘Both horses also died at the scene.’
The Force continued: ‘We are now asking for any witnesses, who have not yet spoken to police to come forward, and anyone with dashcam footage to share it.
‘We would also like to speak to the owner of the horses, who has not yet come forward.
‘One horse is black and one horse is grey in colour. Further enquiries are ongoing around the horses and their owners, but anyone missing two horses or who may know who they belong to is asked to contact us.
‘If you can help officers progress their enquiries, please get in touch quoting incident number 94 of 13 November 2026.’
