Bastiman in shock after horsebox incident involving motorcyclist on way to York

Trainer Rebecca Bastiman was left in shock after the horsebox she was travelling in to York races on Friday was involved in a serious collision with a motorcyclist, who was airlifted to hospital.

Bastiman had not long left her Wetherby stable with her intended runner Indian Chief when a man on a motorbike apparently hit the rear of her vehicle after a cross-roads on the road between Cowthorpe and Tockwith.

The drama did not end there for Bastiman, as Indian Chief, who was declared a non-runner in the 1m2f handicap just before 1pm, was trapped in the horsebox.

'Shock of my life'

"My brother was driving the lorry and we thought we had burst a tyre, so when I got out to check I had the shock of my life seeing a man lying face down in the road," said Bastiman.

"Luckily there was a nurse on her way to work who attended to the man before he was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary. He was unconscious at first but when he left he was talking and I just hope he's okay."

"We couldn't get the ramp down due to the damage caused by the crash and had to call the fire brigade to come out and cut it open," added the trainer, who took over the reins at the yard from father Robin in 2015.

"With the lorry swerving around the road we were worried the horse might be in shock but he's eaten up back at the yard and is fine."

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