FOUR HORSES have been killed in a road accident on the A9, where a lorry crashed into a broken-down float parked on the side of the road.

Eventer and trainer, Tom Gauntlett, was on his way to Blair Castle International Horse Trials when his truck broke down, only 30 minutes from the showground.

All team members exited the vehicle to safety, but whilst waiting for the emergency services to arrive, they could only watch as a lorry driver ploughed into the truck, killing two horses outright, and badly injuring two.

Police confirmed that two horses died on-site but the other two had to be euthanised shortly after.

Speaking on his eventing Facebook page, Mr Gauntlet said: “My amazing family are fine and that is definitely the main thing, but today we lost Party Trick and three of Sophie Hulme’s horses.”

Mr Gauntlett had been transporting all four horses to Blair. Three belonged to fellow eventer, Sophie Hulme, who was already at the show, who lost Charisma, Feyre and Fintan, in the crash.

“Having broken down just 30mins from Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials we sat on the grass verge and watched a lorry (whose driver we think may have been on his phone) plough into our truck."

There has been an outpouring of support and messages on social media, with people sending their condolences to Nick, Sophie and all else who have been affected.

“We are obviously all heart broken," Mr Gauntlett continued. "Lucy Morgan and Asha Riches-Wood, the emergency services, vets and people generally were amazing,” he said, thanking everyone for their words of support and offers of help.

Police Scotland are investigating the circumstances of the crash and confirmed that two people were taken to hospital for treatment.

“Around 2.45pm on August 24, officers were called to a report of a road crash involving two lorries on the A9 at Cairnie Braes, near Perth,” said a Police Scotland spokesman.

“Police, fire and ambulance attended and two men from one of the lorries were taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

“One of the lorries was carrying four horses. We can confirm that two of the horses died and two had to be euthanised by vets,” they continued.

“The road was closed until around 9.30pm. Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash remain ongoing."