Video shows the moment a police horse collapsed at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival. Sandown, a 14-year-old horse, died at the event at 9pm on Sunday after falling. Officers can be seen rushing to the scene to rescue the animal as Sandown lay motionless on the pavement. At the time they tried to keep the public away as people watched in horror as the scene unfolded. Sandown could not be saved and died at the scene, despite receiving emergency care. An eyewitness at the scene said: “I was around the horse for about half an hour before it collapsed and it looked very uncomfortable. “It was mumbling all the time and the officer was trying to calm it down. “In the end it seemed like the heat and the environment was too much for it and it just started to fit. To view this video, please enable JavaScript and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Sandown had served with the Met Police for seven years (Image: SWNS) Officers rushed to the scene as he lay motionless on the ground (Image: SWNS) Despite their best efforts, Sandown tragically died at the scene (Image: SWNS) A post – A post mortem is underway (Image: SWNS) “It was horrible to watch and I’ve had trouble sleeping the last few nights thinking about what happened.” The Metropolitan Police said the death was “sudden” and a post-mortem examination is now underway. The 14-year-old laughing chestnut is described as one of the Met’s most experienced horses, having served in the police force for the past seven years. He quickly won over officers with his good nature when he joined the force in 2015.
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Sandown was described as “playing an integral part in helping London police”. The force added in tribute: “He demonstrated his bravery and courage at numerous football matches and was also selected to perform in the Mounted Activity Ride at Olympia and the Mounted Musical Ride. “PH Sandown was a huge member of the Mounted Branch family and was much loved. He will be greatly missed by all.” The Met is up to 110 horses at full strength today. Mounted Branch’s role includes high visibility patrols, community engagement and specialist crowd control at sporting events, demonstrations, public order events and state ceremonies such as Trooping the Colour. Contact our news team by emailing us at [email protected] For more stories like this, check out our news page.
