Two of the five horses which rampaged through central London yesterday, injuring four people, are said to be a “serious condition”, a minister has said.
Vida and Quaker, who ran more than five miles from Buckingham Palace Road to Limehouse, are now back at Household Cavalry barracks being looked after by vets.
The animals were taking part in what the Army called a “routine exercise” in the Belgravia area on Wednesday when they threw off their owners and began galloping through the streets of the capital.
Defence Minister James Cartlidge said: “Obviously it was quite dramatic coverage but I just want to stress that it was an exceptional event.
Two of the horses are in a ‘serious condition’
PA
“There were five horses they have all been recovered. Three of them are fine, two are unfortunately in a relatively very serious condition and, obviously, we will be monitoring their situation,” he told Sky News.
Asked if they are still alive, he replied: “As I understand it they are in a serious condition but still alive.”
Yesterday morning, four service personnel were thrown from their horses, with the animals proceeding to smash into vehicles as they bolted through London.
Buckingham Palace Road was closed after the incident and a cordon was put in place while emergency services attended the scene. Four people were taken to hospital following the incident.
A silver Mercedes-Benz people carrier was also reportedly hit, with damage to its side and two rear windows broken. Victoria Coach Station was also closed while emergency services attended the scene.
The animals are understood to have become spooked after they fell on concrete during their daily morning exercise.
They were taking part in a rehearsal for a Major General’s Inspection, which will take place on Thursday in Hyde Park.
One witness was getting off a bus when she saw the two horses, one black and the other white, “flying past”.
“The white one was drenched in blood from the chest down and they were galloping through the traffic at speed,” she said.
More to follow…