Tributes for float driver killed in accident

Trainers Patrick and Michelle Payne have paid tribute to the float driver killed in a truck crash on a Victorian road on Monday.

South West Horse Transport driver Peter Butler, 59, died after his truck rolled and crashed through an embankment on Slate Quarry Road near Meredith about 8am. Emergency services attended the scene but Butler was unable to be saved.

Butler was on his way to the Camperdown jump outs transporting eight horses trained by the Paynes.

Two horses were killed during the incident while another has subsequently died as a result of the result of injuries, a statement released by the Paynes on Tuesday confirmed.

“As a result of the tragic road accident on Monday, we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Peter Butler,” the Paynes wrote.

“Peter brought character and laughter to our jump-out mornings, and he will be sorely missed as a regular at our stable. Our thoughts are with the team at Southwest Horse Transport, Peter’s work colleagues Troy, Bruce and Brooke.

“We would like to thank the emergency services and responders who attended the scene including, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Country Fire Authority, and SES volunteers and for the countless locals and members of the public who assisted at the scene.

“A special mention and thank you to the veterinarians and the entire team at Golden Plains Equine, we thank you for taking care of the six injured horses who survived.”