A THREE-year-old boy who was airlifted to hospital after an MDF wall collapsed inside a flooring store was not as badly injured as first feared, police have said.

The toddler was inside Frank’s Flooring, off Russell Street, Darlington, on Sunday afternoon (August 21), when he was struck by the falling wall, causing serious injuries to his chest, abdomen and pelvis.

Crowds gathered outside the shop as Russell Street was cordoned off to allow the Great North Air Ambulance Service helicopter to land to the rear of Halfords, opposite Valley Street North at around 3.30pm.

The youngster was flown to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough after being treated by GNAAS and North-East Ambulance Service paramedics at the scene.

A Durham Police spokesman said on Monday: “There are no concerns over the health of the little boy involved in the incident.

“He was kept in hospital overnight for observation.

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

A HSE spokeswoman confirmed that the incident would be passed to Darlington Borough Council’s health and safety officers.

Speaking shortly after 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.”