Edward Wood, from Wood's Brewery, and son, Jonathan, 15

The father of a Shropshire boy who needed urgent hospital treatment after being hit on the head by a cricket ball has praised air ambulance staff for saving his son’s life.

Jonathan Wood, 15, was practising at the cricket nets in Shrewsbury School when he was hit by the ball several weeks ago.

He was treated by an ambulance crew and initially taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, but it soon became obvious more specialist treatment was needed and the air ambulance was scrambled from Cosford to fly Jonathan to the University Hospitals of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent.

Edward Wood, Jonathan’s father, runs the Wood Brewery at Wistanstow just off the A49.

In March this year, Mr Wood launched a dedicated ale – Triple A air ambulance ale – to help raise money for the service. For every bottle and draft pint sold, a donation is made to the service.

Mr Wood said: “I am extremely grateful to all the medical services that came to the assistance of Jonathan on that day. They were all magnificent in the professional way they worked together to treat Jonathan for his injury.

“When we decided to support the air ambulance by brewing Triple A, I never thought for one moment we would need to use their services.”

He added: “It’s been selling very well since March, so I’m hopeful the donation will be in four figures.”

The emergency flight took less than 15 minutes and Jonathan went straight to the operating theatre for life-saving treatment.

Mr Wood said: “With the sort of injury Jonathan had, apparently the ideal time for the operation is within four hours of the injury and they just about did it.”

He said he thought it was important to raise awareness of the job done by the Midlands Air Ambulance.

Steve Parry, Midlands Air Ambulance spokesman, said: “Everyone associated with Midlands Air Ambulance is delighted Jonathan is making a rapid recovery.

“Head injuries of this type require immediate treatment and airlifting Jonathan to a specialist unit  proved to be a crucial factor in his recovery.”

By Hannah Costigan