Five people injured after ‘blood-covered’ horse runs through central London

It's thought one soldier has been injured after a spooked horse threw its rider and the five animals escaped and started to run through London.

A horse which appears to be covered in blood is among five Household Cavalry mounts which escaped were running loose through central London.

Five people, have been injured 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.

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.’

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.

‘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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