A schoolboy was left fighting for his life and another seriously injured after a tractor overturned on a farm in County Durham.
Police and ambulance crews were called to the property in Burnopfield off the B6310 just before 8:30pm on Sunday night.
A 14-year-old boy was rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with life-threatening injuries, while a 13-year-old boy was taken to the same hospital hospital with serious injuries.
Both remained in hospital this afternoon.
Road Policing Inspector Mick Todd said: ‘This was a horrific incident which has left two boys with very serious injuries.
‘Our thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time. An investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances.’
A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: ‘We were called to an incident on a private road in Burnopfield shortly after 8.20pm on 21 December.
‘We dispatched three double crewed ambulances, one vehicle from our Hazardous Area Response Team, a clinical team leader and a specialist paramedic.
A police car responding at the scene in Burnopfield had all four of its tyres slashed (stock of Durham Constabulary vehicle in Burnopfield)
‘Two patients were taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary.’
The police operation was hampered when all four tyres of one of their cars at the farm were slashed.
Officers had performed first aid on the youths and were taking statements, but returned to find all four tyres of a vehicle destroyed – prompting an investigation into ‘shocking and unacceptable’ criminal damage.
The officers and their car were put out of action for the remained of the shift, and a criminal damage investigation has been opened.
Inspector Todd said: ‘Whilst officers were inside an address conducting vital enquiries into the collision, all four tyres of their vehicle parked outside were slashed.
‘Due to the damage, the officers and vehicle were taken off duty, meaning resources were stretched even further at one of the busiest times of the year and there was a delay in the progression of the collision investigation whilst waiting for vehicle recovery.
‘These officers were first on the scene of this collision and carried out lifesaving first aid on the teenagers before being transported to hospital.
‘For anyone, this would have been traumatic, but the professionalism of our officers meant that they carried on and put the public first.
‘The damage is shocking and unacceptable.’
Investigators want to hear from anyone who saw the accident or was in the area at the time.
Anyone with information in relation to the collision or criminal damage should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit by emailing sciu@durham.police.uk,or by calling 101, quoting incident number 401 of December 21.
Information can also be submitted to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
