A riderless horse was killed after it was hit by a lorry on the A19 south of Middlesbrough.
Three cars following the lorry collided with each other as they tried to avoid the accident, which happened at 5.15pm.
The horse had earlier thrown its rider and ended up on the northbound A19.
The rider was found safe and well and none of those in the vehicles involved were injured.
The horse died of its injuries at the scene - a few hundred yards south of the A174 slip road near Thornaby.
The northbound A19 was closed until 6.45pm whilst the horse was recovered.
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