The Corporation of Hamilton is considering the future of horse tours in the city after Wednesday’s stampede, but Harbour Nights will continue as usual next week.

Nineteen people were injured — some seriously — after two spooked horses broke loose and tore down Front Street with their carriage during the tourist event. Many were trapped under the wheels.

A child is said to have escaped with relatively minor injuries because a woman visitor to the Island landed on top of him in the melee and protected him from the worst. She was being treated for multiple fractures last night.

Eyewitnesses described dramatic scenes more akin to a movie than real life as the first Harbour Nights of the season turned into a nightmare.

“There was a mad chaos, which reminded me of the movies we watch on TV when the bulls get out in Mexico and clobber the crowds. I really couldn’t believe it,” said eyewitness Katherine Dunmore, 23, who watched from the balcony of Pickled Onion.

Diane Gordon, executive vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce which helps organise the event, said: “Watching the situation we felt it was straight out of a horror film. We had no control to stop what was taking place.

“We were looking up at the sky and said ‘What a great night’, and in two seconds everything changed.”

She was unwilling to comment on the cause of the accident yesterday, telling a press conference it was under Police investigation.

The victims ranged from a seven-year-old boy to a 73-year-old.

Mrs. Gordon said of the child victim: “He was under the lady with the worst injuries so he was protected...we are all very pleased he has now been released from the hospital.”

According to a hospital doctor, the woman suffered two broken arms and a broken leg.

The incident involved horses belonging to Ray Bean, who usually operates at Dockyard. Mr. Bean is said by eyewitnesses to have chased his runaway horses and calmed them down, despite suffering rib injuries when they first ran out of control. Mrs. Gordon visited him in hospital.

“He was certainly very shaken up and was in pain. He had been trodden on by the carriage and was awaiting his X-ray results. He said he thought there was a lot of bruising and some damage to his ribs. He was clearly shocked and concerned, asking about other people as well,” she said.

Mr. Bean was released from hospital after treatment and was recovering at his Somerset home yesterday. Asked how he was feeling, his wife — who would not give her first name — told The Royal Gazette on the telephone: “I don’t even have the right words for how he is...he will be alright.”

Mrs. Bean said she did not wish to discuss the matter further, and Mr. Bean was not willing to speak with the media.

Mrs. Gordon said an inquiry was in full swing yesterday.

“We are giving our 100 percent support to the Police service, who are working very hard to investigate this. We have had a great response from witnesses. Everyone wants to be able to piece together the puzzle,” she said.

Chamber of Commerce President Philip Barnett told The Royal Gazette that Front Street CCTV cameras did not capture the horses running toward the crowd because they were pointing in the wrong direction. However, they picked up the aftermath and Police have a copy of a tourist video tape catching the moment of impact, he said.

Police spokesman Robin Simmons said it was “way too early” to speculate on what caused the horses to bolt, and officers were still speaking to witnesses.

He added: “The Bermuda Police Service would like to commend the quick and capable response of our officers who attended the scene as well as the hospital to assist following the incident.”

Hamilton Mayor Sutherland Madeiros also said the response of the emergency services, general public and hospital staff made him proud. “It is unfortunate it takes such a tragic event such as this to bring all visitors and residents together,” he said. “I did visit a number of visitors in hospital and one said: ‘Don’t blame yourselves, it was an accident. We love your Island and we’ll be back’.”

Mrs. Gordon added: “They were all very patient and understanding. They were shocked and concerned but were extremely supportive.”

Mr. Madeiros revealed that the Corporation of Hamilton is considering a temporary ban on horse and carriage rides in the city.

“I think the Corporation needs to step back for the moment and reflect on what took place, and based on that we are probably going to temporarily suspend horses and carriages from plying their trade within Hamilton until there has been time to fully review the circumstances,” he told The Royal Gazette.

At a later press conference, he said legal advice was being taken on such a move and it was too early to advise of any action.

News of a possible ban was greeted with shock from Dee Charles of Shilo Carriage company, the main horse operator in Hamilton.

“I’m very concerned about the impact on my business,” she said.

Mr. Madeiros pledged that Harbour Nights would carry on as normal next Wednesday. “We hope residents and visitors alike will support the event as they have in the past,” he said.

Organisers have appealed to visitors who wish to contact them about the incident to telephone the Department of Tourism on 292 0023 or Chamber of Commerce on 295 8930.

Amanda Dale, Ruth O'Kelly Lynch, Sam Strangeways and Glenn Jones contributed to this report.