Four people have been taken to hospital after five horses from the Royal Hussars ran loose and collided with vehicles in central London.
The incident occurred when a group of seven horses and six soldiers from the Royal Household Cavalry stationed at Hyde Park Barracks were conducting a training session in the Belgravia area of central London on the morning of April 24 to prepare for a parade to celebrate the birthday of King Charles III in June.
During training, noise from building works in Belgravia spooked the horses, throwing four riders from their saddles and sending five running loose across London during rush hour.
Horses collided with people and vehicles on the streets of London, breaking the windscreen of a double-decker bus and shattering the windows of another car.
Horses of the Royal Household Cavalry play a prominent role in British royal ceremonies. These horses are carefully selected for their height (minimum 168cm) and especially their strength. Each horse is usually assigned to a specific soldier. The horses are often trained for several months on the streets of London to get used to the heavy traffic and loud noises, including cannon fire and military bands.