British tourists injured in Norway horse stampede

Fifteen British tourists were injured in Norway yesterday when they were thrown from horse-drawn carriages after a trip to see a glacier on the country's west coast.

Fifteen British tourists were injured in Norway yesterday when they were thrown from horse-drawn carriages after a trip to see a glacier on the country's west coast.

The party of tourists, mainly British pensioners, was on its way back from visiting the Briksdals glacier, one of Norway's leading attractions. The tourists were travelling in horse-drawn carriages, when one of the horses bolted in fright, causing some carts to overturn in a stampede.

Three tourists suffered serious head and neck injuries and were taken by helicopters to two hospitals in the area. None of the injuries was thought to be life-threatening. Those who suffered less serious injuries were treated close to a river running from the glacier. Rescue workers covered them in blankets to keep them warm in the sprays of glacial water carried on the wind.

In the summer of 1999, eleven tourists, mainly Japanese, were injured in a similar accident in the same area. A woman later died from her injuries. The company that organised the trip, Oldedalen Skysslag, is thought to have arranged yesterday's outing.

There was a similar accident last August when a horse bolted, injuring three people.