A four-year-old horse named Dash made an unexpected dash across the M32 motorway last Friday night, triggering widespread traffic chaos and the closure of the southbound carriageway. The horse’s dramatic escape ended when Jade Plummer, a 31-year-old equestrian from Gloucester, stepped in to rescue him.
Jade, who was driving back from Wales with a friend, noticed the distressed horse running along the motorway and quickly took action. “I was trying to keep him on the hard shoulder to protect him from traffic,” she said. After a tense hour-long pursuit on foot, Jade successfully guided Dash to safety.
The incident led to the temporary closure of the M32 southbound between junctions 1 and 19, with Avon and Somerset Police and National Highways intervening to manage the situation. Despite the involvement of the horse’s owner, Jade revealed he refused to take responsibility, saying, “I don’t want him, I don’t have anything to do with him.”
Determined to help, Jade took Dash to her Blossom Hill Equestrian Centre in Gloucester. Upon veterinary examination, it was discovered that Dash was severely underweight and had multiple health issues, including skin tumours, making him appear much younger than his actual age.
Thanks to the dedicated care from Jade and her team, Dash is showing signs of recovery and has revealed a gentle and affectionate nature beneath his nervous exterior. Jade has also launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Dash’s ongoing veterinary treatments and rehabilitation.