Met Police horse dies after collapsing 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 cause of the animal’s death
- ‘Officers form a very close bond with the animals they serve alongside.’
- Notting Hill Carnival returned today after a three-year hiatus forced by Covid
A police horse has died after collapsing while on duty at Notting Hill Carnival this evening, leading to the launch of an investigation.
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 tonight, the force said it was too early to determine the cause of the animal’s death, but an investigation has been launched.
Police confirmed the news ‘with great sadness’ and said: ‘Officers form a very close bond with the animals they serve alongside.
‘Our thoughts are with all our mounted branch colleagues tonight.’
The force added that it will provide more information in due course.
Police patrol during the family day at the Notting Hill Carnival in London, which returned to the streets for the first time two years after it was thwarted by the pandemic. A police horse has died after collapsing while on duty at the festival this evening, leading to the launch of an investigation
In a statement posted on social media tonight, the Metropolitan Police said it was too early to determine the cause of the animal’s death, but an investigation has been launched
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 coronavirus.
Two million people were expected to attend, with festivities kicking off in the early hours of this morning.
From 6am, festival-goers gathered in the neighbourhood for J’Ouvert celebrations, which means opening of the day, as they sprayed brightly coloured paints and powders to get into the carnival spirit.
The opening ceremony began at 10am, with the carnival’s first parade, the Children’s Day Parade, getting underway at 10.30am as part of family day today, ahead of the adult’s parade on Bank Holiday Monday.
Musicians blow trumpets while dancers strut their moves, dressed in traditional Caribbean clothing in colourful prints. 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 coronavirus
Thousands of people throng west London streets as they follow the parade or simply celebrate being together
A 72-second silence was also held this afternoon in tribute to the lives lost in 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 clad in various brightly coloured, intricately designed costumes and adorned with flags filled the street to mark the start of the world-famous event and begin the procession along the three-mile parade route.
Revellers descended onto the streets of west London for a day of fun, joy and excitement after the long break, as even Mayor of London Sadiq Khan joined the partygoers.
A 72-second silence was also held this afternoon in tribute to the lives lost in and affected by the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, bringing the carnival to a halt at 3pm.
The parade drew to a close at 5.30pm – but live music and celebrations are expected to continue late into the evening.
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