A POLICE helicopter was called in to airlift an injured boy to hospital after an accident near Elton reservoir, Bury last night.

The 12-year-old boy, whose name has not been released, had fallen and badly fractured his leg. He was found by a passing member of the public just before 7pm.

It is not known how long he had been on the ground injured but he was also suffering from hypothermia.

Volunteers from the Bolton Mountain Rescue team were called in to help as the boy was in an inaccessible area beneath power lines.

After paramedics treated him the rescue team stretchered the boy, who is from the Warth Fold area of Bury, 200 yards to the Greater Manchester Police helicopter.

As the North West air ambulance is not equipped to fly in the dark the police helicopter stepped in to transport the boy to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

It landed on playing fields at Mount St Joseph's School next to the hospital, where the boy is being treated for his injuries.

'It was a good example of teamwork," said Insp John Aspray, of Bury police.