Teenager airlifted with head injuries after Ludlow attack
A teenager was airlifted to hospital suffering from serious head injuries after being attacked near the entrance to a supermarket in South Shropshire.
The victim, who has not been named, was found semi-conscious and was flown from the scene of the attack in Ludlow to the trauma unit at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.
Police arrested two men on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm following the incident last night.
The attack happened at about 7pm in Portcullis Lane and police officers were today back at the scene carrying out inquiries.
The Midlands Air Ambulance was on another job elsewhere and so the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance lifesaving helicopter was scrambled to the scene and arrived at about 9.15pm.
Service spokeswoman Charlotte Parker said: "A man in his late teens had sustained a head injury and was suffering a reduced level of consciousness so on-scene land ambulance paramedics requested the assistance of an air ambulance.
"Upon landing, the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance paramedic and doctor, with assistance from a West Midlands Ambulance Service doctor, anaesthetised the patient in order to manage his airway and take control of his breathing, stabilising him for the flight to hospital.
"He was then flown to University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, which was the nearest major trauma centre with a lit helipad."
She said the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance regularly carried doctors on board which enabled them to carry out advanced procedures, such as anaesthesia, at the scene of an accident, in effect bringing the hospital to the patient.
West Mercia Police spokeswoman Sarah Buxton said: "Two men have been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after a teenage boy was assaulted on Portcullis Lane, Ludlow, at around 7pm last night.
"The 16-year-old was taken to hospital with a serious head injury where his condition is not thought to be life threatening."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 0300 3333000 and quote reference 582-s-030613.
