Three hurt in DiCaprio film accident

Scorsese and DiCaprio: On-set security is tight

Three extras were injured on the set of Leonardo DiCaprio's new film Gangs of New York after a horse-drawn carriage fell over.

Filming was suspended on the 19th Century period drama, directed by Martin Scorcese and also starring Cameron Diaz, following the incident on Thursday.

Spokesman Larry Kaplan said that although the injuries - to two women and a young girl - were not serious, "it was decided out of respect for them to suspend the day's shooting".

DiCaprio later visited the injured extras in hospital.

The incident happened in the afternoon at the Villa Borghese park in the centre of Rome.

DiCaprio, 26, pelted photographers who tried to take pictures of the incident with horse manure, according to local agency reports.

But both Mr Kaplan and DiCaprio's New York spokesman, Ken Sunshine, would not comment on the stories.

Mr Sunshine said all he knew was that "Mr DiCaprio was on his way to the hospital to visit the victims of the accident".

Martin Scorcese has kept security tight around the set since filming began in the autumn.

The film depicts troubles between New York's Anglo-Protestant poor and Irish Catholic immigrants.

It is due for a US release at Christmas.