Police are investigating a serious crash involving two vehicles and an escaped horse on Albany Highway near Drome, in Western Australia’s Great Southern region. The incident occurred at approximately 10pm on Tuesday, September 29, and was reported in local news on Thursday, October 1.

According to police, a sports utility vehicle travelling along Albany Highway struck a horse that had escaped and was running loose on the road. A Toyota Land Cruiser travelling in the opposite direction then collided with the horse. The impact caused the Land Cruiser to roll, trapping its driver inside the vehicle.

Emergency services attended the scene and worked to assist the trapped driver. A 30-year-old woman was taken to Albany Health Campus for medical treatment. Her injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.

The horse died as a result of the collision. The incident highlights the risks that escaped livestock and other animals can pose to motorists, particularly on regional highways where vehicles may be travelling at higher speeds and visibility can be limited at night.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, including how the horse came to be loose on the highway. Authorities are seeking dashcam footage from motorists who were travelling along Albany Highway near Drome around the time of the incident. Footage may help investigators establish the sequence of events and identify relevant information about the animal’s movements before the collision.

Drivers who may have witnessed the incident or have relevant footage are being urged to contact police. Dashcam recordings can provide valuable evidence in road-crash investigations, especially when an incident involves multiple vehicles or unexpected hazards.

The crash also serves as a reminder for motorists travelling through regional areas to remain alert for animals near or on roadways. Horses and livestock can be difficult to see at night, and sudden movements can leave drivers with little time to react. Motorists are advised to reduce speed where appropriate, stay alert and avoid sudden manoeuvres that could cause further danger.

Albany Highway is an important transport route connecting communities across the Great Southern region. Incidents involving animals can create significant hazards for drivers and may require emergency services to attend, while also causing traffic disruption.

Police have not provided further details about the horse’s owner or the circumstances of its escape in the available reports. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward.

The incident has drawn attention to the importance of keeping animals securely contained near major roads and maintaining awareness of unexpected hazards while driving through rural areas.