Boy crushed at sawmill

A 16-year-old boy was seriously injured after being crushed at a sawmill in Shropshire.

The teenager, who is believed to be from Oswestry, was discovered lying on the ground next to a pile of wood and a forklift truck at ETC Sawmills in Ellesmere. He had suffered serious injuries to his leg, pelvic area and abdomen and was airlifted to hospital for treatment after yesterday’s accident.

The boy, who was believed to be a worker at the Elson Works business, was today described as being “poorly but stable”.

Police said today the teenager had suffered crush injuries.

Health and safety bosses have launched an investigation into the incident shortly after 1.15pm.A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When crews arrived at the scene they found a teenage boy on the ground next to a pile of wood and a forklift truck.

“The 16-year-old boy was treated at the scene for serious leg, pelvic and abdominal injuries before being flown to University Hospital North Staffordshire for further assessment and treatment.”

A County Air Ambulance spokesman added the boy had been “fully conscious” and “alert” in the air ambulance.

He added: “The 16-year-old boy from the Oswestry area suffered fractures down the right side from the pelvis down unfortunately we have no update on his condition.”

The boy, who has not been named, is being treated at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

An ambulance, an incident support officer, police and the County Air Ambulance from Cosford were dispatched.

Sergeant Chris Haslam, from West Mercia Police, said officers were liaising with the Health and Safety Executive to conduct an investigation.

No-one at ETC Sawmills was available to give a comment.