A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy and his uncle were seriously injured when a motocross rider lost control and careered into them.

David Robson suffered a crushed leg and his uncle Darren Robson, 31, has severe pelvic injuries following the pile-up, as they watched a motorcycle race held before the first round of the British Quad championship at Consett.

The pair were hurt when competitor Steve Monaghan's bike careered into a crowd of spectators.

David's mum Adele Clark, of Ruskin Avenue, Pelton Fell, near Chester-le- Street, said: "The operation to reset his leg went well and he is recovering nicely. I just thank God he is all right. He could have been killed."

Mr Robson is 'stable' at University Hospital, Durham, following an operation.

The accident happened on Sunday when Monaghan's 125cc Yamaha bike went over a jump, crashed through safety fencing and into the crowd.

The meeting was called off after a second accident when rider Richard Telford, of Tow Law, crashed into a tree and the ambulance ran out of specialist equipment.

Jill Embleton, secretary of Falcon Motocross which organised the event, said: "We have run races there for five years and never had to call the ambulance."

The incident has caused calls for greater safety.