Horses spotted galloping wrong way along motorway: ‘They were totally oblivious to the danger’

‘They romped past as if they hadn’t a care in the world,’ onlooker says

A group of runaway horses were “totally oblivious to the danger” as they galloped the wrong way down the fast lane of a motorway, forcing drivers onto the hard shoulder.

West Yorkshire Police said animals had strayed onto both carriageways of the M606 just outside Bradford, early on Easter Sunday morning. “It was absolutely surreal,” one driver said. “I was just driving along listening to the radio when I saw these shapes in the distance. When I realised they were horses I just could not believe it. I joined the other drivers in the hard shoulder as one after the other galloped past.”

Another added: “They were totally oblivious to the danger and romped past as if they hadn’t a care in the world. It is amazing no one was killed.” In footage captured by a driver’s dashcam, the animals were running close together in single file.

It is thought the animals escaped from a nearby farm (Screengrab) (Ben Lack/YappApp)

Some drivers were forced to pull over onto the hard shoulder as the animals bolted past in the fast lane.

Motorists were initially warned of “Horses on the Road” and at one stage the bank holiday traffic was halted in both directions, leading to large tailbacks.

Police then directed cars onto the hard shoulder so the half-a-dozen strays could be rounded up. It is thought they escaped from a nearby farmer’s field.

It is understood that none of the animals was hurt and they were later reunited with their owner.

“There were several horses on the road and all traffic was temporary held in both directions whilst they were moved to a safe location,” a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said.