Schoolboy seriously hurt in County Down tractor incident

By Adam Evans

Schoolboy seriously hurt in County Down tractor incident

An 11-year-old boy is seriously hurt in hospital after an incident involving a tractor in a village in County Down.

He was flown from Castlewellen to the Royal Belfast after it happened yesterday lunchtime.

It was the first ever call out for the Northern Ireland's Air Ambulance which had been on a training flight at the time.

A spokesperson for NIAS said: "NIAS received reports at 13:45 of an 11 year old boy having sustained serious injuries following an incident involving a tractor in the Castlewellan area. An A&E crew was dispatched and the Air Ambulance was sent in support."

Adding, "The Air Ambulance team is currently working through final preparations including training and familiarisation flights ahead of an official media launch of the service planned for early August. 

"However as a result of the serious nature of this incident, the helicopter was also tasked, bringing the enhanced medical skills of the HEMS Doctor and Paramedic to the scene.

"Due to the time critical aspect of the call the patient was airlifted to Belfast and has been taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children for further treatment where we hope he will make a good recovery."