LONDON (AP) — Two military horses that escaped and ran for miles through the streets of London after being frightened by construction noise and shaking their riders were in serious condition and required operations, an official said Thursday. official of the British government.
The animals were part of a group of four horses that broke free during routine exercises on Wednesday near Buckingham Palace, shaking their riders and causing chaos as they galloped freely through the streets of central London at the morning rush hour. A fifth horse that had tried to escape was unable to free itself.
Two of the horses required surgery and one was transferred to an equine hospital, the British army said on X, the social media platform.
“Three of them are OK, two of them are unfortunately in a relatively serious condition and we will obviously be monitoring that condition,” Defense Minister James Cartlidge told Sky News. “They are in serious condition, but from what I understand, they are still alive.”
Three of the soldiers thrown from their mounts were hospitalized with injuries, but are expected to make a full recovery and return to duty.
The free horses of the Household Cavalry, the monarch’s ceremonial guard and an element of state functions in London, were named Vida, Trojan, Quaker and Tennyson.
Cartlidge identified Vida as the white horse seen drenched in blood while running at full speed on Aldwych, between London’s historic financial center and the bustling West End theater district, more than five miles from where he escaped.
Vida ran alongside a black horse named Quaker who could be seen hitting a taxi as it turned into oncoming traffic after going through a red light at an intersection.
The horses were all captured shortly afterwards and taken back to the Hyde Park barracks.
Cartlidge said the Army trains with about 150 horses every day, so the incident was exceptionally rare.
“Unfortunately we saw what happened, but all I can say is the crucial thing… no serious injuries to the public that we are aware of, and of course we will keep an eye on the situation ” he told LBC. .
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