AN off duty firefighter came to the aid of a man who suffered a head injury after a piece of scaffolding fell on his head.

Jason Riding said he heard the man's son scream for help after the man, in his mid 50s, had suffered a head injury while working in Weasel Lane, Tockholes, at 8.50am.

Mr Riding, 46, had just finished a night shift with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service when he drove over to help.

The Bolton Central firefighter, who has worked as a firefighter for 19 years, said he dressed the wound on the man's head and called 999.

He said: "The air ambulance was the first to arrive at the scene and the paramedics followed soon after.

"The man's son was shouting "my dad, my dad" and had a look of panic across his face.

"His dad had been hit with a piece of scaffolding and suffered an injury to his head.

"He was conscious and breathing, but he was in real pain." 

Another passerby said the air ambulance had landed in a nearby field.

Mr Riding, who lives further up the road, said: "We stayed with the man until the paramedics came and took him to Royal Preston Hospital.

"I had just finished my night shift and used my skills as a firefighter to assess the situation and acted accordingly.

"I hope the guy will be okay."

The ambulance service spokesman said: "The air ambulance has now left the scene but the advanced paramedic and paramedic crew are still there.

"A man in his 50s has suffered a head injury.

"Something had fallen on his head."