FAMILIES are anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones who were caught up in a terrifying horse stampede during a holiday pleasure trip.

A ride in a horse and carriage to view a glacier in Norway turned into a nightmare for the party of 47 British holidaymakers and two Norwegians.

Among those on the trip, arranged by well-known firm Bibby's of Ingleton, were two couples from Endmoor, two from Ingleton, and a woman from Bolton-le-Sands.

One woman said her parents had described to her the "horrendous" scenes as horses and carriages flew everywhere.

The drama unfolded on Monday afternoon when the party was enjoying a trip in horse-drawn carriages to the Briksdal Glacier, in the west of the country.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said a bolting horse caused the accident and several of the carriages overturned in the melee.

A total of 15 people were injured, four of whom were described as being in a serious condition, although none of the injuries were said to be life-threatening.

Guyr Vedhommer, the Stryn community police chief, said he had two constables investigating at the scene earlier this week.

"One of the horses was afraid of something maybe, or smelled something or (heard) a noise nobody knows yet but he was very afraid, it was impossible to stop him, and he ran out and took five or six horses with him.

"The horses would be out of control and the carriages would be turning around and the people fell to the ground. When they fell out they fell on some rocks and stones beside the road."

When asked about possible criminal charges Mr Vedhommer said he did not think they were likely because: "This is not cars it's animals."

The Briksdal Glacier attracts around 250,000 visitors a year, and on the Bibby's trip were John and Andrea Marriott of Endmoor, who were uninjured; Christine and Brian Gibson, also of Endmoor, who were on the Foreign Office list of injured people but who are expected back early next week; Phyllis Knight of Bolton-le-Sands, who was injured; Bernard and Mary O'Neill, of Ingleton, who were not hurt, and their friends Chris and Joan Mitton, also of Ingleton.

Mr Mitton, 77, suffered a fractured pelvis, broken right arm, broken ribs and cuts to his head in the accident, and was still in intensive care yesterday (Thursday). His wife, Joan, 70, was very stiff and shaken up.

Their daughter, Linda Redhead, said her parents, who are to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary tomorrow (Saturday), were having a "lovely holiday" before the accident. Mrs Redhead was alerted to the emergency by Bibby's, who called to say that while nobody had died, her parents had been injured and had been airlifted to hospital.

"I have spoken to both of them. They are shaken up but doing all right," said Mrs Redhead.

"They just said it was horrendous. The horse had just gone out of control and they said horses and carriages were going everywhere. It's just one of those things but it was frightening very frightening."

Mr Mitton, a retired bus driver, was due to be assessed today to see if he could be brought home over the weekend, while Mrs Mitton, a retired Ingleton school canteen worker, was waiting to fly home with him.

Mr Mitton will need an operation on his arm when he returns.

Mrs Redhead praised the coach firm Bibby's: "The hospital's been great and Bibby's have been really brilliant and kept us in touch all the way. They could not have done more."

Their friends, Mary and Bernard O'Neill, who were not hurt, had been taken by Peter Bibby to visit the Mittons in hospital. Mrs Redhead said that Mrs O'Neill had been shaken by the ordeal.

A statement released by Bibby's said: "An accident occurred on August 23 at 4.30pm (local time) in the Briksdal Valley, Norway, involving a number of British tourists who were taking part in a horse-drawn carriage trip to the Glacier.

"During the excursion some of the horses pulling the carriages became agitated. This resulted in some of the horses bolting causing carriages to be tipped over.

"The local rescue centre and emergency services were quickly called to the scene and the injured tourists were taken to hospital for treatment. Injuries sustained range from cuts and bruises to fractured bones. All of those who were injured are comfortable and repatriation arrangements are currently being considered for their return.

"High level company support is being offered by Bibby's of Ingleton who arranged this tour and they are working alongside their British and Norwegian suppliers to ensure every assistance and support is being given to the group.

"A full investigation is being carried out into the cause of the accident."