A YOUNG banger race fan is recovering in hospital after suffering serious injuries when a wheel flew off a car in the Thunder Rod final at Ringwood Raceway.

Shocked crowds witnessed the spinning car wheel flying over the high mesh safety fence into the crowd.

It careered down onto the seven-year-old boy and knocked him to the ground at about 8.30pm on Saturday.

He was treated for serious head injuries at the scene by first aiders and a South Western Ambulance Service Responder.

Three ambulance crews rushed to the raceway in Matchams Lane between Christchurch and Ringwood and attended to the badly injured boy before taking him to Poole General Hospital.

A hospital spokesman said: “We’re pleased to say he is doing well.” As soon as the accident happened, organisers Trojan International called off the meeting.

A Trojan spokesman said: “We are not going to comment on it at the moment until we know the lad is okay.

“Until we’ve finished reports internally, we are not going to be saying anything.”

Some spectators asked for refunds when they were told the meeting was being cancelled.

A web message posted by Trojan International’s “Craig and Nadine” on Saturday evening said: “It is with great sadness that we write this, as some people are aware there was an incident at Ringwood Raceway tonight resulting in the meeting having to be stopped.

“Those who were there with us we hope will understand that we cancelled the rest of the meeting due to a freak accident that happened during the Thunder Rod final tonight.

“Our thoughts go to the parents of the child who was injured this evening due to a wheel going into the crowd causing an injury that we hope he will be strong enough to pull through.”

They thanked staff and first aiders and apologised to spectators and drivers for the cancellation.

“We would also like to comment on those who got upset and asked for refunds, when you had no compassion for the child or family in question, as far as we are concerned his well being came first no matter your objections of the meeting being cut short.” (sic) A suggestion was made on the website that prize money and the race trophy should go to the injured lad.

A Dorset Police spokesman said there would be no criminal investigation.

“We are helping East Dorset District Council (EDDC) Health and Safety Executive in their investigations.”

A district council spokesman said: “Police called two EDDC officers to Matchams Stadium on Saturday evening, following an incident in which a child was injured.

“The council is now investigating the incident under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

“This investigation is currently in its early stages and the council is continuing efforts to gather evidence.

“Once this process is complete, a decision will be made on whether any formal action needs to be taken.”