Two runaway horses in 'serious condition' after bolting through London

Two of the horses who bolted and ran loose in London on Wednesday are in a 'serious condition', a minister has said.

Four people were injured after five of the military animals escaped during a routine exercise yesterday morning. The chaos unfolded when two horses were spotted galloping along the road near Aldwych, with one appearing to be bloodstained.

Defence minister James Cartlidge told Sky News on Thursday morning: “There were five horses. They have all been recovered. Three of them are fine, two of them are unfortunately in a relatively serious condition and obviously we will be monitoring that condition.”

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He added: “They are in a serious condition, but as I understand, still alive.” The minister also confirmed the names of the two animals, Vida and Quaker.

Mr Cartilage said the situation was 'exceptional,' explaining more than 150 animals are on exercise in the capital each day. Pressed on the condition of the horses by LBC, he said he 'wouldn’t want to say more' than that they were in a serious condition.

He added: “Obviously, we didn’t want that situation to happen. What I would stress to you is that this is very exceptional. You are probably aware that the army has horses out on exercise in central London every day of the week. It is about 150 horses on average exercising every day.

“So this is extremely unlikely this scenario. Unfortunately we have seen what has happened, but all I can say is the crucial thing, as you said yourself, no serious injuries to the public as far as we aware, and of course we will be keeping an eye on the situation.”

A taxi driver, who was parked outside the Clermont