Man killed after car collides with horse

A 61-year-old man died after a collision with a horse on the Pioneer Highway near Palmerston North this morning.

A police spokeswoman said the first of two accidents happened around 7am when a rider leading a horse was hit by a car.

The car pulled over, but the frightened horse bolted and was hit by a second car, killing the man.

A second person in the car was also injured, but no details were available.

State Highway 56 between Palmerston North and Longburn was closed for three hours following the accident.

- NZPA