Blood-covered horses running loose through central London in scary scenes were 'spooked by builders'

The horses that were seen running through London this morning (24 April) are believed to have been 'spooked by builders'.

Passersby were left in shock when two horses were seen running through the streets of London.

Two were spotted in Aldwych, as well as nearby in Tower Bridge.

As the pair galloped through the city at rush hour, witnesses claimed one was 'covered in blood'.

A witness told the Telegraph the horse was 'bleeding all over his chest', meanwhile others claimed the red substance looked more like paint.

During the bizarre incident, at least one soldier was injured, meanwhile another member of the public was spotted lying on the pavement.

Bashir Aden, 48, a construction worker, told the Telegraph: “I saw a soldier falling down into the street after the horse ran into a car. One of my colleagues called the police.

“The man hit the floor hard, he was screaming in pain. You could see blood all over the parked car.

“The horses come down this route every day, but today the horse looked stressed or panicked. I saw the horse run away after it hit a bus. People were screaming and running all over.”

Onlookers described the incident as 'total mayhem' after one horse ran into the side of a tour bus and collided with other vehicles.

Hours on from the carnage and many are wondering what happened and how the horses managed to escape in the first place.

Now the animals have been taken to safety and to be checked over by a vet, reports are emerging over exactly what happened.

Several horses - which are from the Household Cavalry - bolted and threw their riders at the Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall.

It's reported that the horses may have bolted after being spooked by builders moving concrete nearby.

The BBC has said that work being carried out in Belgravia could have caused the animals to flee.

Following the incident, an army spokesperson said: “A number of military working horses became loose during routine exercise this morning. All of the horses have now been recovered and returned to camp.

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

Meanwhile, Westminster Police confirmed the horses had been taken to safety. They said: "We're pleased to confirm that all of the horses have been accounted for. We are continuing to liaise with the Army."

KEY UPDATES

10.09AM - A tour bus company said one of the horses ran into the side of their vehicle, but no one was injured.

A Big Tours Spokesperson said: "We confirm that one of our stationary buses sustained damage this morning during an incident involving horses from the Household Cavalry. One of the horses ran into the front of our parked vehicle.

“Fortunately, none of our team members were injured. Our primary concern lies with the welfare of the riders and animals involved in the incident.

“We are currently coordinating closely with Emergency Services to assist in any way possible. At this stage, we have no further comments to provide.”

10.54AM - Taxi driver recalls terrifying moment one of the horses smashed into his vehicle

Cab driver Faraz told LBC: "I was just sitting in the car with my passenger. I didn't see the horse hit but car but then I just felt a smash...it was a shock.

"I was OK but the car was damaged. They stopped all the traffic."

11.30AM - London Ambulance Service confirms four people taken to hospital

The London Ambulance Service told the Telegraph they received a call at 8.25am about a person being thrown from a horse on Buckingham Palace Road. They were taken to hospital.

Then at 8.27am, they received another call about two people injured by horses at Belgrave Square, and they were also taken to hospital.

Finally, a third call was made at 8.35am. A fourth person was found injured on the junction between Chancery Lane and Fleet Street and taken to hospital.