A STRICKEN teenager was airlifted to hospital by a police helicopter after breaking his leg in a remote spot near Elton Reservoir.

Anthony McWilliam (14) was injured after apparently falling off a motorcycle on Sunday night (Sept 22). Police say he was with a group of youths when the accident happened.

Paramedics located the youngster before summoning Bolton Mountain Rescue team to help ferry the stretcher 200 metres to the waiting helicopter.

The schoolboy, who lives in Kingston Close, is recovering from his injuries at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Mr Gary Rhodes, Bolton Mountain Rescue's team leader, said: "We were contacted by the ambulance service and asked to assist and around 30 of our members turned out."

Despite the fact the area where the boy had fallen was largely inaccessible, an ambulance crew managed to locate the youngster.

But paramedics wanted the youngster airlifted to hospital and the Greater Manchester Police helicopter was scrambled.

Although the area was close to power cables, the helicopter was able to land 200 metres from the accident scene.

Mr Rhodes added: "By the time we arrived, it was getting dark. And when the helicopter took off, it was pitch dark.

"The boy had fallen on flat ground near trees close to the shores of the reservoir."

Anthony's father, George, and a woman passer-by, who it is understood alerted the emergency services, were at Anthony's side as he was tended by paramedics.

His leg was put into a splint and he was given oxygen before being placed on a full-length spinal board stretcher.

He was carried by mountain rescuers to the helicopter.

The teenager, a pupil at Bury CE High School, was accompanied on the short flight by one of the ambulance crew. He remains in hospital.