UK
Four people taken to hospital after military horses bolt through central London
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 after they were spooked by the noise of builders moving rubble down a rubbish chute 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.
Two horses on the loose bolt through the streets of London near Aldwych. Pic: PA
Pic: PA
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 on Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square, and the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street.
It is understood that three Household Cavalry personnel were also assessed at hospital for their injuries, but they were not seriously hurt.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
‘Total mayhem’
According to the ambulance service, paramedics were first 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.
One of the horses colides with a taxi.
Pic PA
A tour bus was damaged during the incident. Pic: Alice Porter
Pic: Alice Porter
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.”
Sky News understands the animals were Household Cavalry horses.
Pic: X/Jhopwv
Pic PA
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.
Read more from Sky News:
Nottingham attack families horrified by police message
Zoe Ball ‘bereft’ at death of mum
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.”
Emergency service outside the Clermont Hotel, in Victoria, following the incident. Pic: PA/Philipe Orome
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.