A young man became impaled on a roof rack in a freak accident in Bristol.

The 19-year-old fell onto the rack, which was being stored in the garden of a house in Corfe Place, Willsbridge, when he tumbled from a 4ft wall.

Fire and ambulance crews rushed to the scene just after 6.30pm yesterday after being told one of the bars of the rack might have gone through the man's stomach.

Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) sent a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance and a doctor, who sedated the patient to allow fire crews to remove as much of the bar as possible.

They cut it away and the man was taken to Frenchay Hospital for further treatment.

It was the second incident involving a patient becoming impaled that GWAS dealt with on the same day.

Earlier a six-year-old boy impaled his arm on a fence when he fell from a tree in the playground of Stanbridge Primary School, Downend. He was taken to Bristol Children's Hospital with a large gash to the upper part of his arm.

A spokeswoman for GWAS said particular care was needed when dealing with impaling and penetrating injuries.

She said: "If possible any penetrating object should not be removed, as this could cause serious bleeding and further injury.

"When attempting to work at a height, even if it doesn't appear that high, people should ensure they clear the area and take all other necessary safety precautions."