A YOUNG boy was taken to hospital after an apparent choking incident at a restaurant on Hartlepool Marina.
The emergency took place at about 5.40pm on Friday at Pizza Hut, which closed for the rest of the evening.
It is understood the two-year-old may have choked on a piece of food.
The Great North Air Ambulance attended, landing on open ground near the Vue cinema. However, the boy was taken by road ambulance to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.
A spokesman for Pizza Hut said: "We can confirm there was a very serious incident involving a child at our Hartlepool Hut.
"Our thoughts and concern are with the child and his family at this very difficult time.
"The Pizza Hut team are devastated by this terrible incident and we will cooperate fully with all authorities."
A spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service confirmed it had attended and a casualty was taken to hospital.
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