A BOY was airlifted to hospital with suspected spinal injuries he sustained during a game of rugby.

The Great North Air Ambulance was called to Ashbrooke, Sunderland, at 11.50am today.

A spokesman for GNAA said: "Due to the cold and wet conditions it was imperative that the patient was taken to hospital as quickly as possible.

"After being checked over and immobilised by GNAAS medics, he was airlifted by the charity's Guardian of the North helicopter to the RVI in Newcastle, where he underwent test during the afternoon."