AN accident investigation is under way after three teenagers were injured in a fairground accident last night.

Police are attempting to piece together the circumstances of the accident, at the Headland Carnival in Hartlepool.

Witnesses reported seeing a car from a travelling fair ride fly off, hitting one of the injured on the ground.

Three ambulance crews went to the Town Moor shortly after 5pm and treated the three youngsters at the scene, before transferring them to Hartlepool General Hospital.

The injured are understood to be a boy aged 17, who suffered head injuries, a 14-year-old girl, who has back injuries, and a 16-year-old boy, who suffered injuries to his shoulder.

Paramedics used special stretchers used to carry people with suspected spinal injuries to take away two of the victims. A police spokesman could say only that some part of the ride's equipment had become detached.

He said the injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, although an ambulance service spokesman later said one of the teenager's injuries was thought to be "quite serious".

Other witnesses reported seeing the detached fair ride car pinning those inside upside down.

A joint investigation has begun into the accident involving police and the Health and Safety Executive.

Last night's accident cast a shadow over the fourth day of the annual ten-day carnival, which includes a range of events culminating in carnival day this Saturday.