A TEENAGE rider was lucky to survive after a collision between the pony she was riding and an HGV on a country road, the animal's distraught owner claimed today.

Now the county councillor for Shipton-by-Beningbrough, near York, is to raise the issue of safety on the country lane with highways chiefs.

"We want people to be able to enjoy our countryside, not have to put up with dreadful things like this happening," said Coun Caroline Patmore.

"I will raise the issue at County Hall, and no doubt raise some eyebrows there."

She said: "We have to have these vehicles for the sake of the farming industry, but they should be driven to the level of the road.

"This incident is absolutely appalling."

The councillor spoke out after a road accident in Highmoor Lane, near Shipton-by-Beningbrough, in which a pony had its leg shattered. It had to be destroyed immediately.

The pony, carrying a 14-year-old rider, was accompanied by its owner, Andrea Hopkins, who was riding her own horse.

"It's amazing the child wasn't killed," said Mrs Hopkins.

"We were just completing a steady ride and were on a long straight stretch of road.

"Suddenly the lorry was upon us, I looked round and saw the pony literally bounce off the side of the lorry, his hind leg was shattered and the lower part almost severed.

"The vet thinks it must have been caught in the wheel arch."

The rider escaped unharmed, but fainted at the side of the road due to the shock and upset.

Mrs Hopkins said: "Nothing will reverse the tragedy, but there is a need for action to ensure measures are taken to prevent such a tragedy happening again."

She said the road is regularly being used as a "rat-run" for large vehicles trying to save time.

"You have to ask for one thing, why aren't these vehicles using the A19. What is making them come here?

"I think these roads should possibly be made access only, particularly for vehicles like this.

"Accidents like this should not be allowed to happen again."

Updated: 10:29 Monday, June 09, 2003