'Outstanding': Parents praise rescuers after James, 6, breaks his hip in Carding Mill Valley fall

Young James Burton, from Telford, was out walking with his grandparents along Cow Ridge, in Church Stretton, on Tuesday afternoon when he trapped his foot in a hole and fell, breaking his femur.

A first aider from the National Trust was first on the scene before the emergency services soon followed.

James's mother, Joanne Burton, said the help he received was second-to-none.

"Everyone that came to his aid did an absolutely outstanding job," she said.

"He was out with his grandparents and they were coming down the hill when his foot went down a rabbit hole. It became stuck and his body twisted around as he fell which snapped his femur.

"My husband highlighted the first aider from Carding Mill Valley, John, who looked after James until paramedics got there as being brilliant, but a big thank you goes to everyone that assisted. The fire crews and paramedics did an amazing job – James was in so much pain and they handled it really well."

Two fire crews were sent from Church Stretton, including the Pinzgauer high-mobility all-terrain vehicle as well as an ambulance, before the youngster was carried off the hill by stretcher.

Taking place at about 1.20pm, it took crews about 40 minutes to get to James, see to his injuries and take him to safety.

Joanne added: "Thankfully he's okay now. He's obviously still in a bit of pain and doctors are just trying to work out what the best course of action is, whether that be an operation or not.

"But it's no doubt down to the crews that he's doing as well as he is."

After the incident, Jim Barker, of Shropshire Fire and Rescue, said: "Shropshire Fire and West Midlands Ambulance Service have just carried out a rescue of a young walker who had fallen and injured his leg in Carding Mill Valley.

"Great work by all and wishing our new friend a speedy recovery."