118 people arrested and three horses killed
Chaos erupted during the Grand National as animal rights activists stormed the area and tried to glue themselves to the jumping obstacles.
After the police intervened, the competition could resume.
However, the race ended in tragedy – when the horse Hill Sixteen collapsed and died.
It was around 5pm on Saturday that activists from the environmental and animal rights group Animal Rising made their way over the fences and into the competition area at the annual horse racing competition.
According to information from Sky Sports, around 15 protesters must have been on the competition course, of which at least two people must have tried to cling to the jumping obstacles.
A total of 118 people arrested
However, the police were able to intervene and – to the great cheers of the crowd – managed to drive the intruders away before the race could start.
Later in the evening, the police confirmed that they had arrested 23 people at the scene.
A total of 118 people have been arrested since the protests began a couple of days ago, according to information from the local police authority, Merseyside Police.
The background to the activists’ actions must be that they are critical of the many fatal accidents that have affected the competition.
– We are aware that there are people who plan to protest at today’s event. This has been taken into account in our plans. We respect the right to peaceful protest and to express opinions, but criminal behavior and disorder will not be tolerated and will be dealt with forcefully, Merseyside Police said in an official statement.
Third death in three days
At 17.30 the race could be resumed but shortly afterwards tragic scenes unfolded, when the horse Hill Sixteen fell so miserably at the first hurdle that he later died.
The death is the third during this year’s race at Aintree Racecourse, which is located just outside Liverpool.
A total of 88 horses have died in the competition, which celebrates its 175th anniversary this year.
