MOUNTAIN bikers have been urged to take care on slippery gravel track on Darwen Moors after a 12-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital.

The boy was knocked unconscious and suffered suspected head, spinal and pelvic injuries after falling in an area known as ‘Lyon’s Den’ on Tuesday afternoon.

It comes after a similar accident on the track earlier this month, in which a 34-year-old man suffered an open fracture to his elbow.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Bolton Mountain Rescue Team attended Tuesday’s incident at about 3pm, where they stretchered the boy to an air ambulance, before he was flown to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The boy, from Darwen, had been out riding with his dad and younger brother.

There was a torrential downpour as the emergency crews arrived, so they deployed a casualty shelter at the scene whilst treatment was given by the air ambulance staff.

Steve Fletcher, a member of the rescue team, said: “We’ve had quite a few mountain biking incidents in that area around Tockholes.

“I’m a mountain biker myself and that bit of track is quite stony and loose and can get very greasy.

“I would urge people to take extra care there, especially when it’s wet.”

There have now been nine mountain biking accidents attended by Bolton Mountain Rescue Team so far this year, compared to 10 during 2013.

A spokesman for the North West Air Ambulance was unable to give further details of the boy’s condition.

However, he was thought to have regained consciousness.