Out-of-control King’s Troop horses rampaged through Charlton this morning, hospitalising six people. 

The royal unit, stationed at Woolwich Barracks, reportedly broke free on Charlton Road during a routine run shortly before 10am, possibly startled by a car horn. 

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the riders, some of whom were thrown to the ground, are among those injured. 

The escaped horses have all been recovered, after one was seen more than a mile from the scene.

The King's Troop is a ceremonial unit of the British Army, involved in the firing of salutes on royal anniversaries and state occasions. 

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 9.56am this morning (11 January) to reports of persons injured on Charlton Road, Blackheath.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, medics in response cars, an incident response officer and our hazardous area response team (HART). We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

“We treated six people at the scene and took them all to hospital.”