A HORSE was sadly put down after a 'freak accident' on Brean Beach. 

Burnham-on-Sea Coastguard were called at around 1.30pm on Monday (August 28) to assist a horserider who had fallen after their horse sustained an injury. 

The horse riders were enjoying a ride along the beach when one of the horses struck a soft patch of sand that gave way causing its front leg to break. 

The rider fell face first into the sand as the horse fell to the floor.

After the fall the horse became distressed and unpredictable and a brace was fitted onto its leg.

At the same time Burnham RNLI treated the fallen rider and the Coastguard Operations Centre in Milford Haven requested an ambulance. 

The Coastguard set up a cordon around the horse and shielded it from view with their vehicles and police helped keep onlookers away and sent traffic up and around the incident to ensure the horse and its rider had privacy.

A spokesman for Burnham Coastguard, said: "Sadly with the kind of injury sustained the only thing to do was to keep it calm before the vet arrived where it was humanely put to sleep.

"Once the ambulance arrived they assessed the fallen rider further and found her to just be suffering from a few minor injuries and was ok to go home.

"The second horse was loaded onto the box and taken home while a second wagon was used to remove the now deceased horse.

"Once all units were safely off the beach, we were able to stand down and return to our station where we set about maintaining the kit from the early morning call out to ensure we are ready for the next call which you never know when will come in.

"Although there was soft sand in the area this wasn't the cause for the injury, it was just a terrible freak accident.

"A sad outcome to the day for this group of riders who were visibly upset with their loss."

If you need help while at the beach or along the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard