Chaos in Central London as Household Cavalry Horses Bolt, Leaving Soldier Injured
In a startling incident early Wednesday morning, several horses from the Household Cavalry were seen bolting through the streets of central London, causing considerable disruption and leading to injuries. The unexpected event led to a number of vehicles being damaged and left one soldier injured in a dramatic scene near Buckingham Palace.
The chaos unfolded when up to five horses, part of a routine exercise on Horse Guards Parade, suddenly bolted. Eyewitnesses captured footage of two of these horses, saddles on but without riders, charging down a London street while being pursued by an unmarked police car. The scene quickly escalated as the spooked horses collided with several vehicles, including a taxi and a bus, told The Telegraph.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Buckingham Palace Road in Victoria, where they attended to the injured soldier. He was reportedly found lying in the street receiving immediate medical attention near the Clermont Hotel. Nearby, a silver Mercedes Benz people carrier showed signs of the encounter, with two of its rear windows shattered.
The runaway horses continued their frenzied dash across the city, with sightings reported as far away as Aldwych House in Holborn and East Smithfield near St Katharine’s Docks. One witness described the harrowing sight to the Standard, saying, “I saw them on East Smithfield, racing down eastwards. At first, it was difficult to see if someone was riding them. It was only when they approached me that I saw that they were alone. The white horse has blood all over and they both looked spooked.”
Another observer recounted the surreal moment when the horses ran past cars, with an unmarked Range Rover in pursuit near Tower Bridge. The Metropolitan Police issued a statement confirming their awareness of the situation, stating, “We are aware of a number of horses that are currently loose in central London and are working with colleagues, including the Army, to locate them.”
This incident has raised concerns about animal and public safety during official military exercises in densely populated urban areas. As the community and emergency services respond to the aftermath, the condition of the injured soldier and the fate of the runaway horses remain focal points of concern. The episode serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of animals, even those as well-trained as the Household Cavalry’s horses.