A tourist has urged officials to reconsider plans for a possible ban on the horse and carriage trade in Hamilton, claiming a children’s train excited the animals which bolted at Harbour Nights.

Nineteen people were injured — one woman severely — in Wednesday night’s incident when the horses ran into the pedestrian enclosure along Front Street.

Rumours over the cause of the accident included an exploding firecracker and a bridle plume swiping one of the animals in the head. Police are investigating the incident, and at a press conference on Thursday, Harbour Nights organisers would not comment on the possible cause.

Officials did however say they were examining whether the horse and carriages should continue in the city.

Last week, a 68-year-old visitor from New York who witnessed the incident urged officials not to ban the animals.

The tourist, who did not wish to be named, said: “We know what spooked those horses. My wife and I were standing right next to those horses when they took off.

“The thing that scared those horses was the tram, the children’s train.

“The carriage came in and two people got off and then the carriage master was tending to the horses when the train came by. It kept going up and down past the horses and they just took off.”

He said: “I would hate to see Hamilton give up the horse carriage rides. It seems such a part of Hamilton’s history.”

SPCA chairman Dr. Andrew Madeiros said animal campaigners also did not want to see an end to the trade.

The society is to recommend the Botanical Gardens as an alternative location.

Dr. Madeiros said: “The SPCA have had concerns about the carriages in Hamilton over the years because it’s not a pleasant environment for the horses, and this recent episode has somewhat validated our position.

“We will be contacting the Corporation and the Government to put forward our position, that we feel Hamilton is no longer constructive from a safety perspective, both to the animals and the people.

“We would welcome suitable alternative sites, rather than banning the trade altogether. We are not opposed to the carriage trade, we just feel the location in Hamilton is not particularly good.”

Dr. Madeiros said: “The Botanical Gardens would be much more peaceful — without the cars and construction noises this would be more conducive to the animals. A more country environment would also be more enjoyable for everyone, so we would certainly support that.”

Last week the Corporation of Hamilton said it was drafting an Ordinance regarding the operation of horses and carriages in the city.

And Wayne Perinchief, Community and Cultural Affairs Minister, said Government may also review the use of horses at public events such as the Bermuda Day parade.