Woman run over by police horse at McMaster University homecoming party

A mounted Hamilton police officer rode his horse through a crowd at a McMaster University homecoming party in the city's Westdale area Saturday afternoon, knocking one woman to the ground and walking over her.

It appears the woman was struck by one of the horse's legs as it carried on past her while she was on the ground. 

The incident was widely shared on social media Saturday evening.

Hamilton police spokesperson Jackie Penman told CBC News that the woman did not sustain any serious injuries.

"My understanding is she was bumped by the horse, paramedics were called, she was checked over and did not require medical attention," she said.

Penman said the mounted unit was in the area doing crowd control as a "few thousand students [had gathered] in the Westdale area during homecoming celebrations." 

"Everybody was given direction to clear the road ... and, unfortunately, [she] didn't clear the road in time, and she came in contact with the horse," Penman said. "Then both officers you see in the video stopped and sat with her until paramedics arrived."

When asked why the officer didn't just slow down or stop in order to not hit the woman, Penman said, "The officer is not looking down, the officer is looking ahead."

She also said there are "conflicting reports" on whether or not the woman is a McMaster student, but said she is "of university age."

"We're thankful the woman is OK, and we will be following up on the incident to ensure something like this doesn't happen again," Penman said.

Police say they made two arrests at the party Saturday — one for assault of a police officer and another for drug possession.

[email protected]