A MAN has been airlifted to hospital after breaking his ankle in a freak rowing accident on the River Severn near Worcester.

The 50-year-old sustained the injury after two racing-style rowing boats collided several miles upriver from Worcester, close to the Camp House Inn on Camp Lane, Grimley.

A rapid response vehicle from West Midlands Ambulance Service immediately called in the air ambulance due to the location of the crash, which occurred at around 9.20am on Saturday morning.

Fire crews manning Worcester's fire brigade vessel were also quickly on the scene, and used cutting equipment to free the injured man from his eight-man boat before carrying him on a scoop stretcher to the waiting helicopter.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "There had been a collision between two rowing boats, such as those used in the Oxbridge Boat Race.

"The injured man had got his foot trapped under one of the seat rails - the seats slide backwards and forwards as the rowers take each stroke. He suffered a fractured dislocation of the right ankle."

The stricken man was airlifted to Worcester Royal Hospital where he was expected to undergo surgery yesterday.