On a Wednesday morning in London, a startling scene unfolded as several military horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ran loose through the city streets. The incident caused panic among pedestrians, resulted in collisions with cars and buses, and transformed the typical rush hour into a chaotic and almost surreal spectacle.
Reports indicated that one individual required medical attention after being thrown from a horse on Buckingham Palace Road, as confirmed by the London ambulance service. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment is known for its participation in ceremonial events, including royal processions.
Following the commotion, the ambulance service stated that at least five people sustained injuries in different locations spanning from Victoria to Belgrave Square and Fleet Street. By 10:30 a.m., the Metropolitan Police announced that all the runaway horses had been successfully recovered.
The dramatic incident unfolded around 8 a.m. when the horses, seemingly spooked, bucked off their riders during an exercise session near Hyde Park barracks. Images captured a soldier receiving medical attention on the ground near Buckingham Palace amidst the chaos.
Subsequently, around 10 a.m., the City of London police reported that two of the horses had been contained near Limehouse, an area adjacent to the Thames docklands. This suggested that the horses had traversed significant portions of London, passing through Westminster, Covent Garden, and the financial district.
The city police announced, “We’re waiting for an Army horse box to collect the horses and transport them to veterinary care” as efforts were made to ensure the well-being of the animals involved.
