A fundraiser has been established for Western Australian jockey Renee Forrest following a devastating crash in Perth's north-east that has left her with significant injuries and emotional trauma.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning when Ms Forrest was towing her horse float through the busy intersection of The Promenade and Main Street in Ellenbrook. A car ran a red light, causing both vehicles and the transportation float to overturn.
Images from the scene depict the horse carrier jack-knifed on its side, with both Ms Forrest's car and the float completely written off. Witnesses reported that one horse escaped and was captured at a nearby shopping centre, while another had to be sedated before being extricated from the float.
Both horses and Ms Forrest survived the crash, but the impact has left the young jockey with injuries that will keep her out of work for an unknown period.
Community Support
The GoFundMe campaign, organised by Dionne Belton, highlights that horses are Ms Forrest's life. The organiser stated that she is "always the first to offer help, the first to notice when someone's struggling, and the first to say 'I've got you.'"
A post on the fundraiser reads: "Right now, she's facing something no horseperson wants to face alone." It details the challenges Ms Forrest faces:
- No transport – Without a car or float, she cannot move her horses, get to work, attend vet appointments, or even get herself to follow-up medical care.
- No income – She will be out of work for an unknown period, and with no income coming in, the bills do not stop.
- Horses still need care – While she recovers, she needs to arrange and pay for care for her other horses at home. Feed, farrier, vet, and agistment costs do not pause.
Donations can be made via the GoFundMe link. The crash has drawn a major emergency response, and the incident has been reported as a serious crash involving horses trapped in a float.
