A woman is thought to be hurt after part of a spectator stand collapsed during a Trooping the Colour ceremony. Emergency services evacuated crowds at Horse Guards Parade in central London today (Saturday).
Scores of people turned out for the event, which is being reviewed by The Major General, to catch a glimpse of soldiers of the Household Division and The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Rreports from the scene suggest proceedings were interrupted when a part of the stand collapsed, the Mirror reports.
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Witness Zoe Clark-Coates said: "What we just witnessed was terrifying, but we are safe. Part of the floor in the stand collapsed, and at least one person fell through. We are praying for the injured and shocked. The stands are being evacuated."
One witness described the situation as "chaos." She added: "We were told to stand and heard a scream and then there was chaos in the section. Turned out part of it had collapsed and a woman had fallen through. The paramedics rushed in but started yelling ‘we can’t find her'.
"She was extracted after several minutes and seemed fine but badly shaken and was put on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance. The crowd was calm but was later moved out of that section. Then a second section had a similar collapse and the crowd was moved but with no one falling through."
Another shocked attendee added: "At Trooping the colour, part of stand, where spectators sat, has partially collapsed. No news of injuries."
Today's event, Trooping the Colour reviewed by The Major General, is identical to Trooping the Colour reviewed by the Queen, with the exception that it excludes the Guardsmen Street Lining on the Mall and some additional mounted officers ride when the The Queen is present. Up to 1,450 soldiers of the Household Division and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, along with up to 400 musicians from the Massed Bands, took part in the parade on Horse Guards for the first of two formal Reviews.
The soldiers were inspected by Major General Christopher Ghika CBE, Major General Commanding the Household Division. Next weekend Prince William will attend the event, before the Queen oversees the main event as part of the Jubilee bank holiday weekend.
An Army spokesman said: “We are supporting the emergency services following an incident on the Horse Guards parade square. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
