Katie BoydenPublished Apr 24, 2024, 9:26am|Updated Apr 24, 2024, 11:51am
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A horse which appears to be covered in blood is among five Household Cavalry mounts which escaped were running loose through central London.
Four people have been injured and taken to hospital after a spooked horse threw its rider and the five animals escaped and started to run through London.
Emergency services are on the scene in Victoria, with a blue tarpaulin put up while people, including a serviceman, received treatment.
One horse appeared to be covered in blood as it hit a number of vehicles as it ran, including a tour bus which was left with a shattered windscreen and a Mercedes people carrier.
Buckingham Palace Road in Victoria was closed each way due to the incident, with Victoria bus station also closed.
The animals were seen running through Aldwych, as well is near Tower Bridge, Limehouse and Victoria – up to six miles away from where they escaped.
It’s thought the horses threw their riders during a training exercise.
Police confirmed that all five horses have been accounted for and recaptured.
At around 8.40am, we were called about horses that had became loose and were travelling through the City.
Our officers have contained two horses on the Highway near Limehouse. Weâre waiting for an Army horse box to collect the horses and transport them to veterinary care. https://t.co/Oc6CPX32yR
— City of London Police (@CityPolice) April 24, 2024
City of London Police said: ‘At around 8.40am, we were called about horses that had become loose and were travelling through the city.
‘Our officers have contained two horses on the highway near Limehouse.
‘We’re waiting for an Army horse box to collect the horses and transport them to veterinary care.’
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Faraz, the owner of the Mercedes people carrier, said his car windows were smashed as he waited to pick up a client at the Clermont Hotel.
He told LBC: ‘I was sitting in the car to pick up my passenger when the horse hit my car.
‘I didn’t see the horse before it hit my car, it was a shock.
‘People walked up to ask if I was OK, I was OK but [my car] was damaged.
‘It stopped all the traffic and the one military guy fell down on the [traffic] island.’
Meanwhile a construction worker who witnessed the stampede told ITV: ‘I saw not many, about five horses on the street, and one of them crashed into the bus.
What drivers should do if they see wild horses on the road
Government data shows animals (excluding horses ridden by humans) are a factor in hundreds of road accidents every year – 339 in 2022, including 3 fatal accidents.
Nextbase head of road safety Bryn Brooker shared tips on how to drive around animals: ‘Animals are a factor in hundreds of road accidents every year, and all drivers must be fully aware of how to drive around them – even in central London.
‘It’s essential that drivers treat all horses as potential hazards – even ones being ridden.
‘Never rev your engine or toot your horn near a horse as this could cause them to bolt.
‘If you are passing a horse, slow down to 10mph at the absolute maximum and give them at least two metres of space.
‘If the road is blocked, stop your car and turn off your engine. If you see a horse that appears to be in distress, call the police and provide as much detail as you can about its location.’
How drivers can avoid crashing into animals
- Keep alert for signs warning of animals. These include actual road signs, heavily wooded areas, and other animals standing just off the road. Slow down and stay as alert as possible to the road ahead of you. Check how far the next car is behind you, in case you have to stop in a hurry.
- Call the police if you hit an animal. If you hit a deer, dog, goat, sheep, pig, any cattle, or many other animals, you by law have to call the police. This will also help a lot with the insurance claim you are likely to need. The RSPCA will also help with an injured animal.
- If something goes wrong, use your dash cam to show what happened. A good dash cam can prove that you did the right thing in any potential accident, and save you a lot of money on your insurance.’
‘They were very scared, they ran like crazy.
‘I don’t have any idea what scared the horses.’
The Household Cavalry is a corps of the Household Division, made up of the two most senior regiments of the British Army, The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals.
The regiments have protected the royal family since the 1600s.
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. A number of personnel and horses have been injured and are receiving the appropriate medical attention.’
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