This is the moment a spooked horse gallops straight into an elderly woman in the street, causing numerous serious injuries and leading to a lengthy court case.

The incident took place on Zhonghe Street in Shexian County in the Chinese province of Anhui on 21st May 2019.

According to local media, the horse knocked over three people, seriously injuring one woman.

Hu Moumou was riding the white horse named Baima, owned by himself and Hong Moumou of the Shexian Tourism Development Co, when the animal suddenly bolted and Hu was thrown from the animal.

The horse then ran into town and knocked over three people, including Ms Xu who suffered multiple injuries, including a pelvic fracture, craniocerebral trauma, and chest trauma.

Ms Xu later filed a lawsuit against the horse owners Hu Moumou and Hong Moumou from Shexian Tourism Development as well as Shexian Tourist Attraction Management, Shexian Huizhou Ancient City Protection Affairs Centre, Shexian City Administrative Law Enforcement Bureau, and the Shexian Middle School, where construction work was taking place when the horse was spooked.

Hu Moumou argued in court that the noise and vibrations coming from the middle school during building work caused the horse to bolt.

The county court ruled that the tourist bodies and local authorities were not at fault for the injuries to Ms Xu and should not be liable for compensation.

The court also ruled that there was no evidence to prove a causal relationship between the construction work at the school and the Baima becoming spooked.

The court said that the horse owners, Hu Moumou and Hong Moumou, were liable to pay compensation for the victim’s injuries.

After deducting the CNY 16,000 (GBP 1,807) they had already contributed towards the woman’s medical costs, the pair was ordered to compensate a further CNY 279,746 (GBP 31,583) to Ms Xu.

Hu Moumou and Hong Moumou appealed the decision, and the Huangshan Intermediate People’s Court has now upheld the original verdict.