Boy's injuries 'not thought to be life changing' after being hit by falling tree branch on way to school

A teenage boy who was airlifted to hospital after being hit by a falling tree branch is not thought to have sustained "life changing or threatening" injuries.

The boy was struck by the branch as he walked to school in Old Colwyn on Wednesday morning. North Wales Police confirmed the teenager "is not as badly hurt" as initially feared.

The Welsh Ambulance service confirmed an air ambulance had attended.

Police said the branch had fallen from a tree on a footpath off Llanelian Road in Old Colwyn.

Chief Inspector Owain Llewelyn said "thoughts are first and foremost" with the boy and his family. He added the Health and Safety Executive were working to "establish the full circumstances".

The fallen tree appears to be beside railings outside the school.

Emergency services were called at approximately 8:50am on Wednesday morning to Windsor Drive outside the secondary school.

The fire service said that they helped lift the branch from the teenager.

Ysgol Bryn Elian comprehensive school confirmed the incident involved one of their pupils and that they were in contact with the boy's family.

The pupil has now been airlifted to hospital in Liverpool.

In a statement, the Welsh Ambulance service said crews were supported by the Wales Air Ambulance:

Police remain at the scene which is cordoned off while Health and Safety officers carry out an investigation. The footpath remains closed.