Army horses on the loose through central London

Military horses have bolted through central London after a number of animals became loose.

Army personnel and horses were injured and vehicles damaged after chaos broke out on Wednesday morning.

Two horses were seen on the road near Aldwych, one of which appeared to be covered in blood.

A taxi driver waiting outside the Clermont Hotel on Buckingham Palace Road had his car windows smashed after a startled horse collided with the Mercedes lorry.

A horse also crashed into a parked double-decker tour bus, shattering the windshield.

An army spokesman said: “A number of military workhorses became loose during routine exercises this morning.

“All the horses have now been recovered and returned to camp. A number of staff and horses have been injured and are receiving appropriate medical attention.”

LBC spoke to the driver of the Mercedes, Faraz, who was waiting outside the Clermont Hotel when he felt something hit his car.

He said he saw three or four horses near the vehicle and that a member of the military personnel had been thrown and injured.

It is believed that seven horses initially became loose as police worked with the military to recapture them.

Photos and videos of two of the animals running amok in London were shared on social media, with one showing a black 4×4 with blue lights following two of the animals between Tower Bridge and the Limehouse Tunnel.

Two horses were captured by City of London Police officers.

Police said on

“Our officers restrained two horses on the highway at Limehouse. We are waiting for an army horse box to pick up the horses and take them to veterinary care.”

The London Ambulance Service said it was called at 8.25am to reports of a person being thrown from a horse on Buckingham Palace Road.

A spokesperson said: “We have sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a rapid response car and an incident response officer.

“Our first paramedic was on scene within five minutes.

“The incident is still ongoing and we are working with our emergency services partners.”