Met Police horse dies after falling while on duty at Notting Hill Carnival – as force launches investigation
- The horse collapsed at around 9pm and died at the scene in west London
- The force said it was too early to determine the animal’s cause of death
- “Officers form a very close bond with the animals they serve with.
- Notting Hill Carnival returned today after a three-year hiatus forced by Covid
A police horse has died after falling while on duty at Notting Hill Carnival this evening, prompting an investigation to be launched.
The Metropolitan Police horse collapsed at around 9pm and, despite officers providing emergency care, died at the scene.
In a statement posted on social media this evening, the force said it was too early to determine the cause of the animal’s death, but an investigation had been launched.
Police confirmed the news ‘with great sadness’ and said: ‘Officers form a very close bond with the animals they serve.
‘Our thoughts are with all our mounted branch colleagues tonight.’
The force added that it would provide more information in due course.
Police patrol during Family Day at London’s Notting Hill Carnival, which returned to the streets for the first time in two years after being hampered by the pandemic. A police horse has died after falling while on duty at a festival this evening, prompting an investigation
In a statement posted on social media this evening, the Metropolitan Police said it was too early to determine the cause of the animal’s death, but an investigation had been launched.
The Notting Hill Carnival, which is an annual event celebrating Caribbean culture that is open to all, returned today after a three-year hiatus forced by the coronavirus.
Two million people were expected to take part, with celebrations starting in the early hours of this morning.
From 6am, festival goers gathered in the neighborhood for J’Ouvert celebrations, which means opening of the day, as they splattered brightly colored paint and dust to get into the carnival spirit.
The opening ceremony began at 10am, with the first parade of the carnival, the Children’s Day Parade, which started at 10.30am as part of today’s family day, before the adults’ parade on Bank Holiday Monday .
Musicians blow horns while dancers do their moves, dressed in traditional Caribbean clothing with colorful prints. The Notting Hill Carnival, which is an annual event celebrating Caribbean culture that is open to all, returned today after a three-year hiatus forced by the coronavirus.
Thousands of people line the streets of west London as they watch the parade or simply celebrate being together
A 72-second silence was also held this afternoon in honor of the lives lost and affected by the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, bringing the carnival to a halt at 3pm.
Hundreds of people, including children, dancers, musicians and acrobatic performers dressed in various brightly colored, intricately designed costumes and bedecked with flags filled the road to mark the start of the world-famous event and begin the procession along the road of the three-mile parade.
Guests took to the streets of west London for a day of fun, merriment and excitement after the long break, with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan joining the crowd.
A 72-second silence was also observed this afternoon in honor of the lives lost and affected by the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, bringing the carnival to a halt at 3pm.
The parade ended at 5.30pm – but live music and celebrations are expected to continue into the late evening.
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