A CHILD has been airlifted to hospital after suffering serious head injuries in a 15-foot fall at a York school.

Emergency services were called to Manor CE Academy at about 11.35am, where a child, believed to be aged between 11 and 14, was reported to have fallen and hit their head.

The Press understands the child is a Year 9 pupil, aged about 13, and fell backwards from a bannister 15 feet down a stairwell.

Simon Barber, principal of the school, said the accident happened at the start of morning break.

He said: "Paramedics were immediately called who sent for the air ambulance and he was taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment where he was joined by his parents.

"No one else was harmed and we are providing our full support to all pupils who witnessed the incident. Our thoughts are with our pupil and his family at this time."

The ambulance service said the child's injuries were serious.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Police were called by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service to reports of a child who had fallen and received a head injury at a school in York."

York Press:

The Health and Safety Executive were called to the scene, but a spokeswoman said they were no longer investigating the incident.