Matthew Langdon, Liv Rauber detail horror Narrabri crash which left two horses dead

A Sunshine Coast couple has detailed their miraculous survival after they were involved in a shock crash with a truck in regional NSW while towing two horses, who tragically died at the scene.

Liv Rauber and Matthew Langdon were involved in a horror crash with a track in regional NSW while towing a horse float. Picture: Instagram/contributed

A Sunshine Coast couple has miraculously escaped serious injuries following a crash with a truck in regional NSW which killed two of their horses.

Matthew Langdon of Kulangoor and Liv Rauber of North Arm have no recollection of the crash impact between their 4WD and a B-double truck at Narrabri, more than five hours west of Coffs Harbour, on Thursday.

The pair was travelling in convoy with Mr Langdon’s family while towing two horses, Summer Rose and Reeba, on a float enroute to the Australian Tentpegging Association Championships at Gilgandra, NSW, when they were involved in the crash about 12pm.

A NSW Police spokesman said the 24-year-old couple’s 4WD and the float rolled following the crash at the intersection of the Newell Hwy and Smithfield Ln.

Ms Rauber said she was sleeping in the passenger seat while her partner was listening to music and driving.

The next thing she said her partner remembered was the banging from the crash, which led to their vehicle rolling onto its side.

“The horror pursued from there,” Ms Rauber said.

“Matty looked down at me to see if I was okay, he knew he was quite badly damaged from the start.”

Matthew Langdon and Liv Rauber. Picture: Instagram

The aftermath of the crash in Narrabri, several hours west of Coffs Harbour. Picture: Contributed

The 24-year-old Corbould Park stablehand said her partner made sure she was all right when nearby truckie Rodney Burr rushed up from his vehicle to assist Ms Rauber.

She said the good Samaritan assisted her out of their crumpled car before helping Mr Langdon until firefighters and paramedics arrived to cut him out of the vehicle.

“I couldn’t tell him (Mr Burr) how grateful I was,” she said.

“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him.”

Mr Langdon was later taken to John Hunter Hospital at Newcastle where he was recovering from multiple fractures to his wrist and leg, which included a broken femur.

The couple were pulled from the wreck of their 4WD. Picture: Contributed

Both horses in the float sadly died from the crash. Picture: Contributed

Ms Rauber was transported to Narrabri Hospital where fortunately she only suffered a swollen elbow with some bruises and scrapes.

The driver of the truck, a 29-year-old man, was treated on scene for minor injuries.

“How either of us walked away is still a mystery to us,” she said.

Sadly, Ms Rauber could not say the same about their two horses they were towing in the horse float, who both succumbed to their injuries after the crash.

“Reeba meant everything for Matthew, she was his heart horse, they did everything together,” she said.

“There was nothing she wouldn’t do for him.”

Ms Rauber said the couple believed Reeba died with minimal pain while Summer Rose, who was Mr Langdon’s mother’s horse, died instantly.

“Losing two horses on a float is every equestrian’s worst nightmare, no one really has an idea how hard and stress it is to tow these animals,” she said.

“They (the animals) put their trust into us to do it.

Mr Langdon recovering at John Hunter Hospital at Newcastle. Picture: Contributed

The pair both have a love of horse riding. Picture: Contributed

“We’re now coming to terms with everything, it’s all completely overwhelming.”

Speaking to this publication on Sunday, Ms Rauber said the couple were still in a state of “numbness” after surviving such a horror crash.

The stress of being interstate, away from family and friends on the Sunshine Coast, added to their situation with Mr Langdon hoping he can be transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

Ms Rauber is just glad all of their injuries will heal.

“He’s an absolute trooper, the fact he was in such a state in the car (with his injuries) and his first priority was me … goes to show the type of guy he is,” Ms Rauber said.

“(Matt’s) always making sure everyone was all right, even with a broken leg.”

The 24-year-old said her partner first introduced her light horse events due to his family’s love for the sport, with the pair now riding in competitions.

She said they were both hoping to make a comeback to the sport once Mr Langdon recovers, but he will need a bit more time than her.

Ms Rauber said they were just blown away with the amount of support from family and friends, especially being interstate away from their home.

You can donate to help the pair here.

Originally published as Matthew Langdon, Liv Rauber detail horror Narrabri crash which left two horses dead