Tragic moment Met police horse collapsed and died at the Notting Hill Carnival in front of shocked revellers as officers desperately tried to save him
- Sandown, a chestnut gelding, collapsed at Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday night
- Met said the death as ‘sudden’ and paid tribute to animal’s seven years of service
- Video shows the horse become distressed as officers attempt to calm him down
- GRAPHIC WARNING: Story contains images some readers may find distressing
This is the moment a police horse collapsed and ‘suddenly’ died at Notting Hill Carnival.
Sandown, a 14-year-old chestnut gelding, collapsed at around 9pm on Sunday at the west London event.
Video shows the horse, which stood at 16 hands high, topple over as an officer desperately tries to take control of its reins.
More officers then rush over to help their colleague tend to the horse, which is lying motionless on the floor.
Carnival goers can be seen watching on in horror while police attempt to keep the public at bay.
Despite being provided emergency care at the scene, Sandown was unable to be saved and tragically died shortly after.
This is the moment a police horse collapsed and ‘suddenly’ died at Notting Hill Carnival
What is a chestnut gelding?
A gelding is a castrated male horse. Castration makes the animals more even-tempered and therefore easier for the riders to handle.
Meanwhile, chestnut describes the hair colour of PH Sandown’s coat. Chestnut is a reddish-to-brown coat.
The statement described the death as ‘sudden’ and said a post-mortem examination is under way.
The 14-year-old chestnut gelding has been described as one of the Metropolitan Police’s most experienced horses, having served an ‘impeccable’ seven years in the force.
The force described PH Sandown as playing ‘an integral role in helping to police London’.
The Met said PH Sandown had been gifted to the force in 2015, quickly winning over officers due to his good nature.
He was the go-to horse to help new officers grow in confidence as they went through their training.
The Met said the horse was ‘a pro at policing all types of events across London’, adding: ‘He demonstrated his bravery and courageousness at numerous football fixtures.’
Police described the death as ‘sudden’ and said a post-mortem examination is under way
Pictured: Police officers desperately attempt to comfort the distressed horse on Sunday
A police horse who died after collapsing while on duty at Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday evening has been named as Police Horse (PH) Sandown alongside a picture of him
The force reported PH Sandown was also selected to perform at the Mounted Activity Ride at Olympia and the Mounted Musical Ride.
It went on to say: ‘PH Sandown was a massive part of the Mounted Branch family and was loved dearly. He will be sorely missed by all.’
The Met added that, while it is too early at this stage to determine a cause of death, a post-mortem is under way.
An eyewitness said of the incident: ‘I was around the horse for half an hour or so before it collapsed and it looked really uncomfortable.
‘It was mumbling constantly and the officer was trying to get it to calm down.
‘In the end it looked like the heat and the environment was too much for it and it just started fitting.
‘It was horrific to watch, and I’ve struggled to sleep the last few nights thinking about what happened.’
This year’s Notting Hill Carnival was marred by several troubling events, including the stabbing of a young man and the sexual assault of two female police officers.
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