Boy injured in snowball accident

The air ambulance leaving - picture courtesy Jayne Guy

A nine-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital with a suspected back injury sustained when he fell from a large snowball in a Gloucestershire village.

Emergency crews were called to the King George V playing fields in Nailsworth near Stroud after reports of the accident on Friday.

The boy was taken to Frenchay Hospital near Bristol for treatment.

A Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) spokeswoman said a rapid response car and 4x4 also attended.

""People of all ages can have fun during this weather on a sledge, throwing snowballs or building snowmen," said the spokeswoman.

"However bear in mind that there can be dangers, especially when sledging due to the speed and obstacles you may encounter."