A MAN and two horses were killed in a tragic road crash in Calderdale.

Police are still trying to piece together what happened at around 5.30am yesterday, but three cars were involved in a collision with two horses.

It led to the death of one person and both of the horses.

Police are trying to determine if the animals had been deliberately let out of a field in the area, or had escaped.

The tragedy took place on the A58 Rochdale Road at Ripponden, near to Baitings Reservoir and the junction of Baitings Gate Road at around 5.40am.

The road – which runs parallel to the M62 – was closed for several hours.

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police said: “We are appealing for witnesses after the fatal road traffic collision on the A58.

“The incident happened at around 5.40am at the junction of Baitings Road and Rochdale Road and involved a Saab. It also involved two horses.

“The male driver of the Saab died at the scene. The two animals died too.”

Detective Sgt Carole Clayton, of the Major Collision and Enquiry Team, is leading the investigation into the tragedy.

She said: “At this stage we are unable to rule out that the horses have been let out of their enclosure.

“We would ask that all horse owners in and around this area check their fences and enclosures and if there have been any attempts made to remove their horses to contact the Major Collision and Enquiry Team (MCET) on 101.”

The rural road, which has a 60mph speed limit, is a well-used commuter road which runs alongside the beauty spot.

The cars involved included a Ford Focus and a Vauxhall Corsa.

The Upper Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team closed the road off while road traffic police and the major collision team investigated the crash.

It was re-opened to motorists after seven hours.

A resident, Mike Goodall, an engineer who lives further along Rochdale Road, said: “The first I knew was when I tried to drive that way to work a few hours later and saw the road closed off.

“There are quite a few horses and animals in the fields around there as there are a few working farms.

“It’s awful what’s happened. I’ve seen animals in the road before which have been hit by cars or lorries, but nothing this bad.”

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