Even after the horses were calmed and the injured were loaded into ambulances the look of concern on people’s faces was as fresh as a few seconds old.

One woman was asked to explain what she saw and she answered: “I can’t. It’s too horrible.”

In the wake of the incident almost no one on Front Street was standing alone, everyone seemed to have a shoulder to rely upon — either for crying, or leaning, or both.

Inside the stores with glass fronts, workers were pointing and speaking their eyewitness accounts. One storekeeper held her hand to her chest as she talked. The words didn’t matter; the gestures said it all.

On the sidewalks there was an eerie silence, pierced occasionally by an official on a loudspeaker giving instructions to the emotionally wounded.

“Please clear the area. If you have any video of the incident please see us here at the stage.

“Witnesses please report to the Chamber of Commerce.”

The announcements were from Police spokesman Dwayne Caines. A typically calm man, who on this night, had urgency in his voice.

He also recommended that street vendors pack up for the evening. Most didn’t need to be told.

An event that began with awesome expectations had ended in spectacular chaos.

Hundreds of vendors, visitors and locals were on Front Street for the first Harbour Nights of the year — the unofficial start of the tourist season.

Careful marketing had created a genuine excitement in the air.

As the H&H Gombeys performed near the flagpole, imminent danger was brewing just a couple hundred yards away.

When the horses broke loose near the Birdcage they galloped right down the middle of Front Street — splitting two rows of vendors like a runaway bride heading out of a church. Most pedestrians in that area could see the horses, others could at least hear the hooves.

But near the flagpole where people watched the Gombeys, many had their backs turned to the horses. And as those spectators listened to the drums, they couldn’t hear the hooves. They also couldn’t hear screams to get out of the way. Many of the injured probably never saw the horses coming until the animal was right on top of them.

There was an especially large number of children in the area. Many of them had expected to perform. Kids from Dellwood, Sandy’s, Spice Valley and Clearwater Middle Schools were all there. Chaperones rushed around to check on them. They were shaken, but by all accounts, unhurt.

Officials from the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs could be heard hastily arranging to make counsellors available for anybody who needed them.

Police also moved quickly — positioning barricades, moving traffic cones, talking into their radios. Most of their attention centred around the flagpole where the horses finally came to a stop.

Three more investigators worked near the Birdcage where a second horse carriage remained — disabled and lopsided against the sidewalk. Yellow caution tape was used to cordon off the area.

Nearby, at the Chamber of Commerce, witnesses emerged from behind a large door after having told Police what they saw. No one looked relieved as they left, it was that familiar look of concern.

That same look was stained on so many faces. Only time will wash it away. It may take days before it’s gone.