A MAN suffered head and neck injuries after falling from the roof of a Hampshire hospital building.

Emergency services from across Hampshire were called to Melbury Lodge mental health unit at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester after being alerted to the incident which saw the man fall at least 20 feet.

Now an investigation is underway by health bosses to find out how the incident, which took place on Thursday morning, happened.

The incident involved a 65-year-old man was taken to Southampton General Hospital for head and neck injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

A spokesman for Hampshire police said they were called to the hospital for a “concern for welfare” at 3.53am. He said there was a man in his 60s on the roof, but they left the scene shortly after 4am when the man was treated by paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service.

Five fire engines from Winchester, Redbridge and St Mary’s fire station were also called to the scene, but had to be turned back before they arrived.

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 3.48am to a 65-year-old male who had fallen 20 to 25 feet off a single storey building.

“He had head and neck injuries; we sent our Hazardous Area Response Team and an ambulance to the scene. He was taken to Southampton General Hospital.”

A Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: “We can confirm that there was an incident involving a patient last night and emergency services were called. The patient is currently being cared for at Southampton General but due to patient confidentiality we cannot disclose any further details.

“Caring for our patients and keeping them safe is our top priority and our team has already begun a full investigation into the incident.”

Melbury Lodge is home to The Mother and Baby Unit and sits on the Royal Hampshire County Hospital site.

The service cares for women with severe mental illness from 36 weeks of pregnancy until the child is one.