Man suffers ‘freak chainsaw accident’ in park

A man has been hospitalised after suffering a ‘freak chainsaw accident’ while working in a woodland park.

Emergency services, including the Great North Air Ambulance, arrived at Bearpark Colliery Woods near Durham shortly before midday on Wednesday after reports that a man had been seriously injured.

Police said that he injured himself while carrying out work in the woods and was taken to hospital by paramedics.

An eyewitness said they saw the air ambulance circling overhead before landing near to the man’s location.

‘I was at my parents’ house and watched the air ambulance circling, so decided to go and have a look,’ they said.

‘I got down to Bearpark Colliery Woods and saw a crowd, an ambulance, the air ambulance and so many police.

‘I spoke to the emergency services there, who said a worker was injured with a chainsaw in a freak accident, but I don’t know how bad it is.’

A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service also added: ‘We dispatched a double-crewed ambulance, a duty officer, a specialist paramedic, two vehicles from our Hazardous Area Response Team and were supported by the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

‘One patient was taken by road to the Royal Victoria Infirmary.’

Durham Constabulary confirmed officers attended the scene to assist ambulance crews.

A spokesperson said: ‘We were called just before 11.45am to reports of a forester being injured whilst working in Bearpark Colliery Woods.

‘Officers assisted the ambulance service who transported the man to hospital.’

The current condition of the man has not yet been confirmed by authorities.