An investigation has been launched into the sudden death of a police horse at the Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday.
The animal was part of a mounted unit keeping an eye on revelers as they headed home shortly after the first day of celebrations in west London ended.
She collapsed at around 9pm and was treated at the scene but could not be saved.
Investigations will clarify the cause of death. There were no immediate signs of foul play.
In a statement confirming the horse’s death, the Metropolitan Police said: “Officers form a very close bond with the animals they serve alongside.
‘Our thoughts are with all our mounted branch colleagues tonight.’
The annual two-day street festival returned for the first time since 2019 after a long hiatus due to the Covid pandemic.
Sunday’s ‘family parade’ began with a procession led by the Emancipated Run Crew, dressed in green in honor of those who died at Grenfell.
Organizers said the atmosphere was ‘electric’, with hundreds of thousands of people ‘thrilled’ to see the event return.
The first day of the carnival is believed to have passed without major security incidents, although 10 people were arrested for assault and two for sexual assault.
Two people suffered minor injuries when a bus shelter collapsed after a group of people climbed onto it and started jumping.
A further 26 people were arrested for suspected offences, including drug possession, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.
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