A MOTHER has spoken of her horror after her young son was airlifted to hospital following an incident involving a council tractor cutting grass on a North-East housing estate.

Four-year-old AJ Clark was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle by the Great North Air Ambulance Service after he was allegedly struck by the machine just after 4pm on Monday.

His mother, Gemma Sutton, said she was terrified when she saw the youngster almost go under its wheels, yards from her home in Devon Crescent, Birtley, near Chester-le-Street.

The 26-year-old said: “I saw AJ go under (the tractor). I was screaming and trying to stop him (the driver).

“His face was under the tyre. It went over his leg and when it has reversed it has nearly squished him. He was underneath the back wheel. If I did not get there it would have killed him stone dead.

“He had the tyre print on his cheek and his face has swelled out. He has got dints in his face.”

It was initially thought that AJ had suffered multiple serious injuries, but after he was assessed by doctors at the RVI, it was found that his injuries were not life-threatening.

He is now recovering at home with his mother and two brothers, Harrison, two, and ten-month-old Frankie.

Miss Sutton said: “He has been so lucky that he has not got a single broken bone.

“It was terrifying. It was the worst thing I have ever had to watch in my life.

“We cannot believe he has not been seriously hurt. He is like a walking miracle.”

Gateshead Council confirmed there was an incident involving one of its grass cutters and an internal investigation is underway.

A spokesman said: “We have removed our employee from grass cutting duties while investigations are continuing.”

The Northern Echo understands a council employee is due to speak to police, but no-one has been arrested.

Witnesses can call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting 690 04/07/16.