THE brother of a man swept 20 feet into the air in a freak kite-flying accident has spoken of the ordeal.

Jamie Smith was on Kempsey Common on Sunday afternoon with his family when a gust of wind caught his Flexifoil Bullet kite and lifted him into the air. He then crashed to the ground, injuring his face and back.

Mr Smith's brother, 20-year-old Nathan Smith, said: "We were having difficulties attatching the harness and Jamie was holding on to the kite with both hands. Before we knew it the wind just caught the kite and swept him up into the air. It happened so quickly he didn't have chance to let go. When he landed, a number of yards away, I ran over to him and his face was covered in blood."

Mr Smith had to run to a nearby pub to find out the exact location of his brother on the common before calling the emergency services.

"It was really frightening," he said.

The 21-year-old father-to-be was airlifted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital where he had a number of X-rays taken of his back and neck.

Mr Smith said: "We thought he had broken his back. but thankfully he just suffered facial injuries. He is OK now and back at work.

"We are so grateful to the ambulance staff and the air ambulance for getting there so quickly and for being so helpful."

The brothers were on the common with their parents, Jane and Michael Smith, of Bunns Road, St Peter's, Worcester, and Nathan's girlfriend, 17-year-old Becky Kendrick.

"We have always enjoyed flying our kites since we were kids," Mr Smith said.

"Nothing like this has ever happened before. But Jamie said he won't let it put him off going out again, although he is planning to sell the big kite now."

Jamie Smith, who is a builder and a former Hanley Castle High School pupil, and his girlfriend Daniella Hopkins, are expecting their first child later this year. He did not wish to speak directly to your Worcester News.

Justin Pugh, manager of Extreme Kite in Sidbury, Worcester, said the type of kite the brothers were using was fairly powerful. He added: "This type of kite is for intermediate to advanced kite fliers."

Following the accident, at around 3pm on Sunday, Kempsey Parish Council issued a statement stating that people should take notice of the signs posted at the entrances to its five common areas, which state that hang-gliding, para-gliding and other flying activities are not permitted.

However, the sign does not specify that kite flying is banned.

Chairman David Harrison said: "The five commons are designated as areas in which the public have the right to roam, and are crossed by numerous public footpaths and bridleways.

As such, Kempsey Parish Council wish to point out that anyone indulging in any of these unauthorised activities is committing a civil trespass and will be liable to prosecution."