Shocking video footage shows the moment a protestor was struck by a car as they tried to stop an animal hunt. 

The horrific scenes show the woman in her 40s as she is sent flying before shocked activists rush to her help.

In the video, she is looking away from the car before it hits her.

Members of the Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs attended The Cottesmore Hunt’s opening meet yesterday and watched as horses and hounds passed along the road with the rest of the group. 

The hunt on the Ladywood Estate in Knossington, Leicester, has been going since the 1666 and has been held on the estate and on land around the area for centuries. 

Horses and hounds passed along the road before the woman was knocked down (Picture: Twitter / @HertsHuntSabs)

The shocking moment was caught on camera as the protestor was knocked to the ground (Picture: Twitter / @HertsHuntSabs)

Police have said the driver of the car has been identified, but no arrests have been made yet. 

Officers were called to the scene just after midday and are investigating the incident. 

Lee Moon, a spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA), told of how the woman sustained only tissue damage, despite the impact. 

He said: ‘This awful incident happened at the opening meet of the Cottesmore hunt. 

‘Hunt sabs were present to intervene and save any foxes if they chased by the hunt. 

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‘Suddenly a car came at high speed and ploughed straight into one of the sabs. 

‘Amazingly the injured woman only has tissue damage as she could easily have been killed.’

A spokesperson from the British Hound Sports Association said: ‘We condemn this wholly unacceptable behaviour and urge anybody who was in the area and saw what happened to contact the police to help with their enquiries.

‘We wish the anti-hunt activist a speedy and full recovery.’

Detective Inspector Charles Edwards said: ‘Our investigation into this incident is in its early stages. 

‘I would ask anyone who was in the area and saw what happened – or who has footage of the incident or events leading up to and after it – to come forward.’ 

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The shocking video shows the moment a protestor is struck down by a driver before they speed off along the country road