AN accidental injury to a player brought a flying finish to a Sunday morning football match yesterday

The Great North Air Ambulance helicopter from Teesside Airport was called to Jubilee Park, in Spennymoor, County Durham, to collect Salvin Arms central midfielder Colin Bell for a two-minute flight to Durham's University Hospital.

The 31-year-old Tallent Engineering worker was thought to have broken his leg in a tackle.

The Salvins' game with Binchester Social Club was abandoned with 15 minutes to go with the visitors 3-2 up and will have to be replayed.

Salvins manager John Lockey said: "Colin went in for a 50-50 tackle with Binchester sweeper Gavin Dunnet.

"Both came out limping, but Colin said he could feel his leg was broken. It was a fair challenge and wasn't anybody's fault.

"We called for an ambulance and it was all very impressive. Paramedics arrived and put Colin's leg in a splint. He was very cheerful and didn't seem to be in any pain.

"The helicopter came in just a few minutes and took him away.

"We are hoping it won't end his playing days, because he has played for a lot of years and is well known in the area."