HANOVER — An Old Lyme Road family’s two horses died in a freak accident on Wednesday afternoon.
A branch of a large oak tree snapped, landing on the horses, killing them instantly, Hanover Deputy Fire Chief Michael Hinsley said on Friday. But what made the situation particularly unusual was the branch that broke had two branches coming off of it, and they each struck a horse, he said.
“We have had other animals that have been struck by lightning, hit by a tree,” Hinsley said. “But to have two animals that aren’t really standing next to each other get hit by one tree with two branches… How do you even calculate that? It’s just horrible.”
The owner was home at the time, and heard the tree break and ran out to discover the situation.
Local veterinarians responded to the scene.