Two police officers were taken to hospital this morning after four loose horses charged their unmarked vehicle in Romford.

Police had been called at 5.15am to reports of the animals out of control in Lower Bedfords Road. A spokesman said when they arrived on the scene they found at least five horses galloping.

Police closed the road in both directions and members of the public helped contain the horses.

During this time, four of the horses charged the police vehicle, and one horse collided with it, shattering the windscreen.

Sadly, it sustained fatal injuries and had to be put down by vets on the scene.

The officers were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service (LAS).

An LAS spokesman said: “We were called at 6.08am to reports of a road traffic collision on Lower Bedfords Road.

“We sent a single responder in a car and one ambulance crew. Our staff treated two patients – a man reported to be in his 30s was treated for a wrist injury, and the second patient, a man, was treated for a hand injury. They were both taken to Queen’s Hospital.”

Were you there? Please call the news desk on 020 8477 3903 or e-mail ramzy.alwakeel@archant.co.uk.