London — Rush hour in the British capital turned into chaos on Wednesday when five elite military horses, one of them seemingly covered in blood, broke free and galloped riderless through several miles of downtown London, reported NBC News.
Responders swiftly arrived at multiple incidents across the city after the steeds from the Household Cavalry, the British Army’s top regiment, became spooked by nearby construction work, reported NBC.
During the commotion, four military riders were thrown from their horses, which then charged through iconic landmarks, colliding with vehicles including a black London taxi and a double-decker tour bus, causing damage to the bus’s windscreen.
The horses were eventually contained, and the army issued a statement confirming that some personnel and horses had sustained injuries and were receiving appropriate medical attention, according to NBC.
The incident occurred around 8 a.m. (3 a.m. ET) when six riders and seven horses from the Life Guards, a part of the Household Cavalry, were on a training exercise known as a “watering order.” This exercise aims to familiarize the animals with the bustling sights and sounds of the metropolis, a necessary step for the highly regarded mounted unit that participates in ceremonial parades, reported NBC.
Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, treating two individuals for injuries, while additional paramedics attended Buckingham Palace Road, where another rider was thrown from their horse. In total, three riders sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the hospital, according to the army.
The exact moment when the horses were brought under control remains unclear, but by 10:30 a.m., the army confirmed that the animals had been contained and returned to their camp.
Officials reported that some horses had sustained injuries, although the cause of a large bloodstain on the chest and front legs of one horse remains unknown.
The City of London Police confirmed that all the horses had been accounted for and stated that they were in communication with the army regarding the incident.
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https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/elite-military-horses-cause-chaos-in-downtown-london-after-breaking-loose/article_6ce0784c-025f-11ef-8498-bb11429a6bba.html
