Riderless military horses charged through central London today after bolting during morning exercises – with at least four people taken to hospital.
It is thought several horses initially became loose during what the army described as “routine exercise” in central London.
Two of the horses, one of which appeared to be covered in blood, were later seen running riderless on the road near Aldwych.
Pictures and videos of the horses were shared on social media, one of which showed a black 4×4 with blue lights following the animals.
The London Ambulance Service (LAS) said four people were taken to hospital from three separate incidents in Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square, and the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street.
‘Total mayhem’
According to the ambulance service, paramedics were called to the incident on Buckingham Palace Road to reports of a person being thrown from the back of a horse.
A taxi driver waiting outside the nearby Clermont Hotel had the windows of his car smashed after a spooked horse collided with the Mercedes people carrier.
A horse also crashed into a parked double-decker tour bus, smashing the windscreen.
Roland, a worker for tour bus company, Toot Bus, said the scene was “total mayhem”.
“I saw horses come from the bus station in front of Victoria run around in a frenzy. People were running around to avoid them,” he said.
‘Routine exercise’
An army spokesperson said a “number of military working horses” became loose during “routine exercise” this morning.
“All of the horses have now been recovered and returned to camp,” the spokesperson said.
“A number of personnel and horses have been injured and are receiving the appropriate medical attention.”
MEZIESBLOG understands the animals were Household Cavalry horses.
City of London police said they received a call at around 8.30am today and that two of the loose horses had been caught on the Highway near Limehouse.
They were later transported in an army horse box to receive veterinary care.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement at 10.30am that all the horses had been caught.
“We’re pleased to confirm that all of the horses have been accounted for. We are continuing to liaise with the army,” the force said in a statement.
Three incidents in central London
On the incident on Buckingham Palace Road, a spokesperson for the LAS said: “We were called at 8.25am today to reports of a person being thrown from a horse on Buckingham Palace Road.
“We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car, and an incident response officer.
“Our first paramedic was on the scene in five minutes. We treated a patient at the scene and took them to hospital.”
In relation to the incident on Belgrave Square, the spokesperson said paramedics were called at 8.27am and treated two patients at the scene, both of whom were taken to hospital.
The spokesperson said paramedics were also called to the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street at 8.35am and treated a patient at the scene, who was then taken to hospital.
