By John Connell

Last updated at 12:42, Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Stable owners have been left devastated after one of their beloved horses was killed by a hit and run driver.

Sarah Bradley

The three-year-old gelding named Al was killed when he was hit by a car in misty conditions on Cold Fell near Ennerdale.

The road between Ennerdale Bridge and Calder Bridge is a popular route used by motorists driving to Sellafield.

The horse was found by Sarah Bradley, of Bradley’s Riding Centre and Bed and Breakfast, yesterday after the mist had cleared.

She was too upset to speak to the News & Star this morning. But her mother, stable owner Dorothy Bradley, said that the road was used as a “rat run” and that drivers regularly ignore the speed limit.

She said: “It’s a 40 mph speed limit but they go faster and totally ignore the speed limit.

“The driving conditions weren’t good, they were foggy and drivers were going far too fast for them.”

The riding centre is popular with children who regularly go on treks on the horses.

Ms Bradley said: “The little girls who come around don’t know yet and when they find out they will be very upset.”

Al was worth in the region of £3,000 but Ms Bradley said that the “price didn’t come into it.”

A police spokeswoman said: “Police are investigating a fail to stop road traffic collision that occurred on Cold Fell near Ennerdale between July 22 [Sunday] and July 24 [yesterday] where a horse was struck by a vehicle and killed.

“The horse is owned by Bradley Stables and was allowed to roam free on the fell. The owners have expressed concerns regarding the manner of driving on the fell road previously.

“The driver of the vehicle that struck the horse failed to stop at the scene and failed to report the incident.

“Police are seeking any information that would help to identify the vehicle and the driver involved.”

Ms Bradley said this was not the first time one of their horses had been hit by a car.

She appealed for anyone with information to contact police.

First published at 11:26, Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk