Riderless military horses charged through London city earlier after bolting during morning exercises with at least four people taken to hospital.

It is thought several horses bolted after they were spooked by the noise of builders sending rubble down a rubbish chute.

The incident happened as the horses took part in what the British Army called "routine exercise" in the Belgravia area of the UK capital this morning.

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

A black horse collides with a black taxi in London, 24-4-24. Image: PA Images / Alamy

Pictures and videos of the horses were shared on social media, one of which showed a black 4x4 with blue lights following the animals.

The London Ambulance Service (LAS) said four people were taken to hospital from three separate incidents.

It is understood that three Household Cavalry personnel were assessed at hospital for their injuries, but they were not seriously hurt.

'Total mayhem'

According to the ambulance service, paramedics were first called to the incident on Buckingham Palace Road to reports of a person being thrown from the back of a horse.

A taxi driver waiting outside the nearby Clermont Hotel had the windows of his car smashed after a spooked horse collided with the Mercedes people carrier.

A horse also crashed into a parked double-decker tour bus, smashing the windscreen.

Roland, a worker for tour bus company, Toot Bus, said the scene was "total mayhem".

"I saw horses come from the bus station in front of Victoria run around in a frenzy. People were running around to avoid them," he said.

Horses recovered

An Army spokesperson said a "number of military working horses" became loose during "routine exercise".

"All of the horses have now been recovered and returned to camp," the spokesperson said.

"A number of personnel and horses have been injured and are receiving the appropriate medical attention."

Police said they received a call at around 8.30am and that two of the loose horses had been caught and transported in an army horse box to receive veterinary care.

Police said in a statement at 10.30am that all the horses had been caught and they are continuing to liaise with the Army.

Reporting by IRN

Main image: Two horses on the loose bolt through the streets of London city, 24-4-24. Image: PA Images / Alamy