Boy, 12, is dragged out of mud; YOUNGSTER WAS TRAPPED ON BUILDING SITE.

Byline: DAN WARBURTON

FIREFIGHTERS faced a race against time to free a 12-year-old boy after he became trapped in mud.

The youngster was at the centre of a dramatic rescue yesterday after getting into trouble on a construction site near Elford Avenue in Great Park, Newcastle.

Firecrews made desperate attempts to rescue him shortly before 4pm. The youngster had been playing with friends when he became lodged in the mud.

A harness was attached to his body and he was hauled out.

He was wrapped in a blanket and taken by ambulance to Newcastle General Hospital where he was treated for shock and suspected hypothermia. Today, watch manager Andy Lillford, from Newcastle North Fire Station, issued a stark warning to parents and urged them to keep an eye on their children.

He said: "We have got a lot of children playing on building sites and it is a real danger. "It is important that parents make sure their children do not go near these dangerous places.

"With the weather as bad as it has been over the last week, there are a number of hazards that people entering these sites face.

"When we arrived yesterday the boy was quite clearly shocked.

"He had already been stuck for 40 minutes and it took us another 20 minutes to get him clear of the ground."

A specialist rescue team also attended the scene as the events unfolded.

Passers-by had tried to help in the rescue but they could not drag the boy from the mud.

Nearby homeowners today spoke of their shock.

One woman said: "I heard about the incident and I was really surprised.

"The little kid must have been terrified. It was freezing and it had been lashing down with rain. His parents must be very relieved because I would have been beside myself if that had been me.

"The firefighters should be proud."

A number of housing developments are currently being built at Great Park. Many of the houses are unoccupied and waiting sales. There are a number of building sites nearby. Do you know the rescued boy? Call our newsdesk on [phone].