Sledging injuries caused to grown ups and children spark a dozen calls to ambulance service

The North East Ambulance Service handled the alerts during the course of yesterday, Thursday, February 11, across the region, with 12 of its vehicles dispatched to the scenes.

It comes as the Met Office’s yellow alert for snow and ice is expected to continue into tomorrow.

A spokesperson for the service said: “Most of them needed transport to hospital for further treatment for head, back, leg, hand and ankle injuries and some were difficult to access in tricky weather.

"We’d never want to spoil your fun in the snow but please stay safe if you head out on a sledge.”

The service has issued the following advice in the hope of keeping people safe:

*Supervise children at all times and choose gentle slopes with a long run off area

*Avoid icy surfaces Make sure your chosen slope is free of holes and obstacles such as buildings, rocks, trees, fences

*Use a well-designed, sturdy sledge with good handholds

*Only sledge in day-light, or in well-lit areas

*Only go down the hill sitting up and facing forward on your sledge

*Avoid any routes which are near to streams, rivers, roads

*Don’t sledge straight after another person

*Tuck in your arms, legs, clothing, drawstrings If you do fall off your sledge or stop unexpectedly, immediately move out of the way of other sledge users

*Dress properly for the cold with hats, gloves, and warm waterproof clothing, including footwear.

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