A tourist injured when a horse and carriage bolted into crowds during Harbour Nights one year ago today said although she is still suffering from her injuries, she would still visit the Island again.

On April 25 last year people were enjoying the first Harbour Nights of the year when the horse ran into the crowds on Front Street injuring 19 people, one seriously.

Although no charges are to be brought in connection with the incident a Police report has not been made public detailing what caused the horse to run amok.

Canadian Erin Wilson was on the first night of her vacation when she was caught up in the melee, suffering cuts to her head which required stitches. She also damaged her neck and knee and spent the night in the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

"I can't believe it's been a year," said Ms Wilson, 26, from Toronto. "My friends, family and I still talk about it. It's funny this came up now as I was away in Niagara Falls two weeks ago and I saw a horse and carriage.

"I had to take a picture of it as it is now a 'joke' in my family. Although I still have an injury to my neck and I can feel where my head split open, I'm pretty happy I was a lucky one who walked away and still had a good vacation."

She was visiting the Island with her sister and her brother-in-law. She said of her injuries: "I'm still suffering because I don't have insurance to get the therapy that my doctor said I needed. I was vacationing in Bermuda for a week and this happened on my first night there."

But despite her ordeal she added: "I would love to visit Bermuda again. I don't think it has put me off at all because I know that it's a beautiful place. But no, I don't think the incident would stop me from wanting to come back to the Island."

And she pointed out: "I don't think I would lay the blame on anyone. It would have been nice if the horses were a bit more secure so they couldn't run away from their owner, but I wouldn't blame anyone because I think it was an accident.

"I was very pleased, also, with the medical care I received for my injuries at the hospital. I was helped right away and all I can say is that I was very pleased."

Ms. Wilson's brother-in-law Ryan Lewis, told The Royal Gazette: "My sister-in-law was right in the middle of it. She still suffers from the whiplash and concussion she sustained. The people of Bermuda were excellent, as were the hospital staff."

But it's not knowing the official findings of the Police investigation that has added insult to injury for Mr. Lewis: "The biggest issue we have is not knowing what really happened. It made for a very difficult vacation as we had just arrived that afternoon and this was our first day of seven.

"My parents live on the Island — they are in charge of the Salvation Army there which made it easier as they knew where the hospital was and how the system worked.

"If we were on a cruise ship or just a vacation on our own it would have been extremely scary as we would have no idea where to go or what to do.

"Also, my sister-in-law ended up losing her digital camera as we saw it being collected with all the other personal affects of the injured people, but unfortunately the Police never acknowledged having collected anything.

"This was also very disappointing as we saw it being collected but were more concerned with her health at that time.

"Throughout the week we checked both the Chamber of Commerce and the Police station for any information on the stuff collected, but no one was able to assist us."

A Bermuda Police spokesman told this newspaper two weeks ago that the Director of Public Prosecutions had reviewed a Police report on the incident and determined that no criminal charges would be brought.

Asked if the report would ever be made public, the spokesman said "relevant individuals and agencies", including those hurt during the accident at the Harbour Nights event, which was organised by the Chamber of Commerce, would be given access to "the information that is relevant".

However, despite the statement by Police that "relevant individuals" would be given a copy of the Police report, all of the victims who spoke to this paper last night, confirmed they had never seen the report.

After the incident, the Corporation of Hamilton floated the idea of banning horse and carriages from Harbour Nights but according to Barbie Shanks, of Devonshire, who suffered minor injuries to her nose in the accident, banning horses is not the answer.

"I don't support a ban. Accidents happen," she stressed. "There have been accidents resulting in death involving container trucks, but they don't ban them.

"You try to find a solution and a safer message, etc. I'm all for trying to look to the future to find a safer alternative. If people think the horses are too close or shouldn't be in Harbour Nights then let's work together to find an alternative.

"It was not the horses' fault. They bolted, they have a tendency to do that. But then, people also lose control of their vehicles — it's just an accident."

Ms Shanks also said she was embarrassed as a Bermudian after what she perceived was a lack of transparency and follow-ups by the Police and those in authority over Harbour Nights.

"I know of people who suffered broken legs, broken knee caps and dislocated shoulders, and many were tourists and they have never been approached by the Police, the Chamber of Commerce, nor the Mayor of Hamilton — nobody.

"I just think it is rude. One would think that the integrity of the Corporation of Hamilton would see to it that victim's are contacted.

"I know of this family of four who suffered injuries. They've never been approached and I know that it was very traumatic and painful for them."

When contacted for reaction to Ms Shanks' claims, a Chamber of Commerce spokesperson declined to comment. Hamilton Mayor Sutherland Madeiros formally implemented the ban earlier this month, a decision which has upset Senator Wayne Caines.

Sen. Caines, also Junior Tourism and Transport Minister, recently wrote to the Mayor to "strongly" urge him to temporarily suspend the decision until it could be further reviewed.

He described the Mayor's announcement as a "surprise," noting that senior officials at the Ministry of Tourism and Transport are concerned that the Mayor of Hamilton overstepped his authority.

Sen. Caines previously contended: "While the Mayor obviously has wide discretion within the city limits, it is the Public Service Vehicles Licensing Board (PSVLB) which is responsible for public service vehicles countrywide and that legislative oversight includes horse-drawn carriages.

"The Public Service Vehicles Licensing Board was not consulted before the Mayor's public statements. The Transport Control Department was also not consulted."

Last night, a Corporation spokesperson said: "The Corporation is working with the Junior Minister of Tourism and Transport to find an alternative route for horses and carriages so that we can try and prevent a similar situation from happening in the future.

"An announcement will be made shortly."