Child, three, airlifted to hospital after MDF wall collapses in Darlington store

The youngster had been with his parents who were shopping in Frank’s Flooring, off Russell Street, near the town centre, when paramedics and police officers were called to assist the boy.

The little boy was brought out of the store on a stretcher and wrapped in blankets with a head brace in place before being airlifted to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, for further treatment.

Darlington Police’s duty inspector, Inspector Pat Pygall, said: “We had a request by the ambulance service at 3.23pm to assist with road closures in and around Russell Street.

"It was reported that a young child had been inside Frank's Flooring shopping with his parents when unfortunately, an MDF wall has collapsed onto the child.

"Officers have attended and the child was conscious as he was treated at the scene before he was taken to James Cook University Hospital.

"Our last update is that his injuries are not life-threatening and the investigation has been passed on to Health and Safety inspectors."

Frank’s Flooring added that staff had been “shocked and concerned” by the incident.

A Frank’s Flooring spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with the child and their family and our staff our shocked and concerned by this accident.

“We would also like to thank the emergency services for their speedy response.

“Our absolute main concern is with the wellbeing of the child and, when the time is right, we will make the HSE fully aware of the details of the accident.”

Russell Street, between St Cuthbert’s Way to Freeman’s Place, was closed for around 40 minutes.

A Durham Police spokesman added: "There are no concerns over the health of the little boy involved in the incident.

"It's expected that he'll be discharged from hospital at tea time after he was kept in overnight for observation.

"It will be referred to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as an accident in the workplace."