News Release

Assateague Island Wild Horse Killed in Vehicle Accident

News Release Date: October 3, 2018

Contact: Liz Davis, 410-626-6087

Berlin MD- On October 2, 2018 at approximately 7:30 in the evening, an 18 year old solid bay stallion, N9BFNY (Sir Gruff) was struck and killed by a car. It is not known if speed was a factor. A full investigation of this accident is underway. N9BFNY and his band, N10T (Ninka) and N10T-JO (Assateague Phoenix) normal range is in the vicinity of Tingles Island and Pine Tree backcountry sites but they have spent the summer in the developed area.
 
The National Park Service is committed to protecting the Assateague horses, now and forever. They are a treasured part of the Assateague experience. N9BFNY is the 19th horse to be killed on the MD Rt. 611 causeway since 1982, another 6 horses have been injured. We join the public in concern for the loss of horses on the causeway, and hope to continue to work with the State of Maryland Department of Transportation to make Rt. 611 safer for visitors and wild horses.