Several loose horses caused chaos on the streets of London on Wednesday after becoming spooked during a routine rehearsal. The incident resulted in four people being taken to the hospital, with at least two of the horses running several miles across the capital. Footage captured the animals, one covered in blood, colliding with vehicles and even reports of a collision with a person.
The two horses are believed to have traveled from Belgravia, near Buckingham Palace, all the way to the East London area of Shadwell. The Army spokesperson confirmed that a number of military working horses became loose during routine exercise and that all the horses have now been recovered and returned to camp. Both personnel and horses have been injured and are receiving medical attention.
The timeline of the horses‘ movements provides a detailed account of the events that unfolded. The chaos began in Belgravia between 8am and 8.25am when five horses were spooked during a rehearsal. One serviceman was severely injured after his horse collided with a car on Buckingham Palace Road, throwing him to the ground. The two horses then ran towards Buckingham Palace, with one colliding with a parked tour bus, causing serious damage.
As the horses continued their journey down The Mall towards The Strand, they covered nearly 2 miles in around five minutes. The black horse collided with a taxi outside a coffee shop on Aldwych, and both horses continued down Fleet Street, with one hitting a person on the corner of Chancery Lane. The person was taken to the hospital, and the horses continued their run into East London.
In Shadwell at 8.55am, the horses were spotted near St. George’s Leisure Centre, making their way into the Tower Hamlets neighborhood until they stopped on Glamis Road near the Rotherhithe Tunnel. Police were able to capture the two horses, with footage showing the white horse being ushered into a mobile horsebox, seemingly with a broken leg. The total distance covered by the horses was estimated to be five miles, with all horses now accounted for.
The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of animals and the importance of proper handling and training. It also highlights the swift response of emergency services in managing the situation and ensuring the safety of both the public and the animals involved.
