News
24 October, 2025
Driver critical, two horses dead after Sutton Forest crash
Investigations are continuing after an accident involving a horse truck closed the Hume Highway at Sutton Forest for several hours on Thursday.
Investigations are continuing after an accident involving a horse truck closed the Hume Highway at Sutton Forest for several hours on Thursday.
Police understand a light rigid horse truck towing a horse float may have crashed to avoid hitting a tractor.
The 27-year-old driver of the truck was trapped in his vehicle and had to be removed by NSW SES and NSW Police Rescue. He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being airlifted to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition.
A number of horses were also trapped. One horse had to be euthanised because of its injuries while a second died as a result of the crash. Seven others were taken away for treatment.
The driver of the tractor – a 26-year-old man – was uninjured and was taken to Bowral Hospital for mandatory testing.
Several lanes of the highway were closed in both directions between Sallys Corner Road and Penrose Forest Way after the accident at approximately 1.15pm as emergency services personnel worked to free the trapped driver and clear the wreckage.
Specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit were also called in to forensically examine the scene.
All lanes had reopened by 9.40pm.
Dr George Davidson McLeod from Southern Cross Equine Vet – who attended the scene with other vets – described it as “heartbreaking” and praised everyone involved in the response.
Emergency services personnel at the scene included NSW Police Rescue, SES teams from Moss Vale and Wingecarribee, RFS volunteers from Penrose and Exeter and fire fighters from Mittagong with a Hazmat tanker.
Local Land Services and equine vets were called in to help extricate and care for the trapped horses.
Read More: Southern Highlands, Sutton Forest