Motorcyclist death in horse crash named as Daniel Robins

The collision was on the A31 near Ringwood

The motorcyclist killed in a collision with a horse in the New Forest has been named as Daniel Robins.

The 31-year-old from Bournemouth was one of two riders who struck the horse on the A31 near Ringwood on Wednesday.

Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has said police actions surrounding the crash will be investigated.

PCC Simon Hayes said he was concerned at drivers being stuck for more than five hours after the crash.

Before the crash, at about 18:15 GMT, police had advised motorists to "proceed with caution" because of the possibility of "animals in the carriageway".

That element of the operation was initially referred to the IPCC but the police watchdog has since said it was a matter for internal investigation.

Mr Robins, of Alumhurst Road, Bournemouth was taken to hospital following the crash, where he was pronounced dead.

A second rider, a 47-year-old man from Broadstone, remains in a serious condition.

'Extraordinary accident'

The A31's westbound carriageway back to junction one for the M27 at Cadnam was closed while police investigation work was carried out.

Road users complained of being trapped on a stretch of road known for poor mobile phone reception and having no points for exiting or crossing to the other carriageway.

Mr Hayes insisted he was "not critical" of the actions of police officers at the scene.

"The police did absolutely the right thing in closing the road,

"The issue is why it took so long to reopen it and turn the traffic around,

"We need to look at how we deal with road closures. This was an extraordinary accident but it has raised the issue of members of the public being stuck for a long time, how we look after their welfare and how we inform them."

He said he would be having talks with the chief constable and the Highways Agency about how similar road closures are dealt with in the future.