Exclusive
SOLDIER DOWN
Shocking moment retired armed forces chief Field Marshal Lord Guthrie falls from his horse during Trooping the Colour
THIS is the shocking moment retired armed forces chief Field Marshal Lord Guthrie fell from his horse during Trooping the Colour.
The former Chief of the Defence Staff, 79, who is Colonel of the Life Guards, was rushed to hospital after the brutal tumble.
15
In the video, exclusive to Sun Online, the crowd scream as the decorated soldier slumps on his horse which cork screws out of procession.
There are more shrieks as Lord Guthrie slips from the saddle and hits the deck.
A police officer runs to help him, as another grabs the animal.
Other guards march on as emergency teams rush to his aid.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed he was “receiving medical attention”.
15
15
Paramedics treat Field Marshall Lord Guthrie after falling from horse during Trooping of the Colour ceremony
He was initially treated at the scene, on The Mall, but has since been taken to hospital.
Lord Guthrie, whose full name is Charles Ronald Llewelyn Guthrie, was the Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army and eventually the Chief of the Defence Staff until his retirement in 2001 – the most senior figure in the Army.
The fall slightly delayed the appearance of the Queen, who is celebrating her official 92nd birthday today.
15
As the royal family lined up on the balcony of Buckingham Palace Savannah Philips, daughter of Princess Anne's son Peter, kept Prince George in check as they joined the Royals.
Well-wishers took to social media to express their concern for the Field Marshal.
Albertina McNeill wrote on Twitter: "Hope Lord Guthrie's OK after his fall. Quite a drop from a horse."
Another said: "Wishing Field Marshal Lord Guthrie a speedy recovery after falling off his horse today."
Steve Mills also used the site to write: "Hoping Field Marshall Lord Guthrie is well, speedy recovery, sir."
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
An Army spokesperson told The Sun Online: "Field Marshall The Lord Guthrie, Colonel The Life Guards, fell from his horse during the parade.
"He received prompt medical attention and is now being cared for in hospital.
"We wish him a speedy recovery."
Lord Guthrie was involved in military operations in Northern Ireland and also advised the government during the Bosnian and Kosovo wars.
In July 1993, he became Aide-de-camp general to the Queen before being made Chief of the General staff a year later.
He was then advanced to a Knight Grand Cross (CGS) of the Order of the Bath in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
15
As CGS, he was responsible for providing strategic military advice to the British Government on the deployment of troops for the Bosnian war.
He went on to become Chief of the Defence staff in April 1997, when he then gave the government advice on operations during the war in Kosovo.
The soldier also warned against a British invasion of Zimbabwe against Robert Mugabe.
MOST READ IN NEWS
He said: "Hold hard, you'll make it worse."
Police also arrested a 51-year-old woman for a public order offence after an object was thrown towards a procession at the event.
The woman is currently in custody at a central London police station.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours