A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy and his uncle were seriously injured when a motocross rider accidentally careered into them.

David Robson and uncle Darren Robson were watching a rally when the bike flew out of control.

The youngster's mother kept a vigil at his hospital bedside after he suffered a crush-ed leg in the 40mph crash.

His 31-year-old uncle has severe pelvic injuries following the pile-up during a race held before the first round of the British Quad Championship at Consett, County Durham.

David's mother, Adele Clark, of Ruskin Avenue, Pelton Fell, near Chester-le- Street, County Durham, said: "The operation to reset his leg went well and he is recovering nicely. I just thank God he is alright."

His uncle is in a stable condition at University Hospital of North Durham, following surgery.

The accident happened on Sunday when scrambler Steve Monaghan's 125cc Yamaha bike went over a jump, crashed through safety fencing and two layers of rope and ploughed into the crowd.

The meeting was called off after a second accident when rider Richard Telford, of Tow Law, County Durham, lost control of his 250cc machine and crashed into a tree and the ambulance ran out of specialist equipment.

Jill Embleton, secretary of Falcon Motocross, which organised the event, said: "We have run races there for five years and never had to call the ambulance. I was gutted by the injuries."

The incident has reinforced calls for greater safety. In February 2000, 11-year-old Marc Taylor, of Ennerdale Crescent, Gateshead, was killed after being hit by a rally car during an amateur event at Otterburn, Northumberland.