Spooked cavalry horses injured as they ran amok in central London have undergone surgery to save their lives, defence chiefs have revealed.
Two animals were said to be in a “serious condition” after falling rubble saw them flee a “routine exercise” in Belgravia. They were among five Household Cavalry horses that went on a six-mile rampage and left four people injured. One of the horses - named as Vida - was seen soaked in blood as it galloped through central London, alongside a black horse, called Trojan.
Two of the other animals were named as Quaker and Tennyson. Service personnel were thrown to the floor and five of the animals broke loose, smashing into vehicles and causing a number of injuries.
The Army said three soldiers who were injured would “recover fully and return to duty”. In a statement a spokesman said one of those operated on had been taken to an equine hospital.
Two horses on the loose bolt through the streets of London near Aldwych (PA)He said: “Of the seven horses which were spooked, five tried to bolt and four, Vida, Trojan, Quaker and Tennyson, broke loose. Two of the injured horses were operated on last night, with one transferred to an equine hospital. All remaining horses are being closely observed.
Man fined £165 after outraging the internet by dying puppy to look like Pikachu
“Our horses receive the highest standards of care, and those that did not undergo surgery are expected to return to duty in due course. We want to thank everyone who has shown such kindness and concern towards our soldiers and horses. We will provide more updates soon.”
The Army later said today it was “too early to know" whether the two injured military horses would be able to return to official duties.
A British Army spokesperson said: "We are hoping that both these horses make a recovery. Whether they will recover enough to return to official duties, it's too early to know for sure.
"But they've been given the best veterinary treatment possible and remain under close supervision. Vida was the most visibly injured and the pictures of the horse running through London soaked in blood were horrifying.
"Vida was operated on overnight and is currently in stables at the Hyde Park Barracks under observation. Quaker was also operated on overnight but it was decided to move the horse to an equine hospital in the early hours for more specialist treatment.
"The extent of the injuries is not completely clear but we don't believe at this stage there are any broken bones. The blood seen on Vida (the grey horse) was consistent with lacerations."
Trojan was finally caught in the Limehouse areaDefence minister James Cartlidge said: “There were five horses. They have all been recovered. Three of them are fine, two of them are unfortunately in a relatively serious condition and obviously we will be monitoring that condition.”
He added: “They are in a serious condition, but as I understand, still alive.” Asked about the condition of two of the horses, the minister said he “wouldn’t want to say more” than that they were in a serious condition.
"Obviously, we didn’t want that situation to happen. What I would stress to you is that this is very exceptional.
“You are probably aware that the Army has horses out on exercise in central London every day of the week. It is about 150 horses on average exercising every day.
Dog who 'always melts hearts' with his smile hopes to find a loving family
“So this is extremely unlikely, this scenario. Unfortunately, we have seen what has happened, but all I can say is the crucial thing, as you said yourself, no serious injuries to the public as far as we aware, and of course we will be keeping an eye on the situation.”
Trojan (left) and Vida (right) are understood to have undergone life-saving surgery (PA)The London Ambulance Service said it treated four people across three separate incidents. Injuries were reported in Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square and the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street, at around 8.25am.
A serviceman was thrown to the ground in Buckingham Palace Road and one of the loose animals smashed into a taxi waiting outside the Clermont Hotel, shattering the windows.
The driver said a white horse collided with his Mercedes people carrier, leaving blood spattered down the side. Two horses, wearing saddles and bridles, were seen running in the road near Aldwych, one of which appeared to be covered in blood.
They were later spotted near the Limehouse tunnel, before being recaptured by City of London Police. A horse also crashed into a parked double-decker tour bus, smashing the windscreen, and one crashed into a taxi, but no one was hurt. Jordan Pettitt, 26, said the grey horse was “vividly” stained red with blood and he heard a black horse collide with a taxi.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
