FOUR Hampshire fire fighters were injured when the fire engine they were in collided with a tree while they responded to a call.

One of them was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital by paramedics after the incident which took place at about 12.30pm this afternoon.

The crew were responding to a call to a property fire when it struck a tree on Headley Road, Grayshott.

A spokesman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said no other vehicles were involved in the incident.

An investigation led by Hampshire police is now underway.

They added: “Five fire fighters were travelling on the appliance at the time. One was unhurt and three were injured but able to get off the appliance.

“One fire fighter was cut free from the appliance and the four injured fire fighters have been taken to hospital for treatment.”

Paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service were on the scene and The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance team was dispatched to evacuate one of the fire fighters.

A spokesman from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service added: “The welfare of our fire fighters is our absolute priority and we are liaising closely with their families and colleagues to support them at this time.

“We will work closely with Hampshire Constabulary, who are leading an investigation, to establish exactly what happened in this incident.

“The incident the Grayshott appliance was on its way to was dealt with by crews from Alton, with no delay, and was found to be a small fire on a hob that was out when the crews arrived.

“Arrangements have been made to ensure no interruption to our emergency cover in Hampshire.”