Skip to content

Foal dies after being panicked by paramotor

Chris Dale A composite image of three photographs of different paragliders. In all three photos the paraglider is in the air. The paraglider on the left has a red wing with black and yellow trim, the one in the middle is orange and red with a black and yellow jagged flash across it, and the one on the right has a black wing with a white jagged flash. In the middle photograph a group of people can been seen looking up at the paraglider over Oxford's Port Meadow.Chris Dale
Oxford City Council said it would take legal action against three individuals involved in two separate incidents

A foal has died after being panicked by a powered paraglider flying "low and erratically" over Oxford's Port Meadow.

Oxford City Council said the foal was injured during an incident on 10 April and has since been put to sleep.

It said there had been two serious incidents involving paramotors this month and threatened legal action against those responsible.

Deputy chief executive of the council, Tom Hook urged the pilots responsible to "stop this dangerous behaviour immediately". Thames Valley Police has been approached for comment.

A second incident occurred on Sunday evening, when three paramotors were seen swooping low and noisily over the meadow, "causing further distress" to the animals.

The council said witnesses described the horses as "visibly panicked" and "running erratically around the area in fear".

"The matter is being taken extremely seriously, and legal action will be pursued against those responsible, it added.

'Disturbing livestock'

Three individuals are thought to have been involved in flying the paramotors during the two incidents.

Mr Hook said "The safety of the animals, residents, and visitors to Port Meadow is of utmost importance, and we will continue to work closely with the police and community to prevent further incidents."

The 136.9ha (340-acre) Port Meadow is one of the largest open spaces in the north of Oxford.

The flood plain of the River Thames is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is home to many species of cattle, horses and wildfowl.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said no arrested had been made, but the force was appealing for witnesses.

They said: "On 10 April, a powered paraglider was seen flying low, disturbing livestock on the meadow.

Sadly, a young horse was injured in the incident and after vet's attention, had to be put down from its injuries.

"A second incident occurred on Sunday at around 7.30pm, when three paragliders were seen flying low, causing anxiety to the animals on the meadow."

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

Related Links