A MAN was fighting for his life in hospital last night after being struck by a falling tree on a Hampshire golf course.

The casualty – a greenkeeper at Dibden Golf Centre – was operating a ride-on mower on the 18-hole course when the huge tree fell on top of him.

He is thought to have been trapped for about an hour before being taken to Southampton General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

An investigation has been launched into the incident, which happened in windy conditions and left the small mower buried beneath a huge number of branches.

People sitting in the clubhouse watched anxiously as the emergency services converged on the council-owned facility near Hythe.

Firefighters from Hythe and Redbridge freed the casualty using techniques they normally use to release accident victims trapped in wrecked cars.

A South Central Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called at 12.07pm to a tree that had fallen on a patient.

“All our crews assisted and treated the gentleman, who is in his forties. The air ambulance was called but the patient was taken to hospital by land ambulance.”

Hythe parish and district councillor Alex Wade was shocked to learn of the incident.

He said: “My thoughts are with the gentleman concerned and his family. I hope he pulls through and makes a speedy recovery.”

Jackie Cleary, one of the people who took to social media after witnessing the aftermath of the incident, posted: “I saw all the emergency vehicles and the helicopter. A lot of commotion. Hope the poor chap survives.”

Dibden Golf Centre is owned by New Forest District Council but managed by MyTime Active, which runs 18 courses across the country including in Southampton.

MyTime Active has operated the Dibden facility since April 2012, when it signed a 30-year contract with the Tory-controlled council.

Colin Read, the authority’s deputy chief executive, said: “Our thoughts are with the man injured and his family.

“We are in frequent contact with MyTime Active so we can be kept informed of the man’s condition and understand more what happened.

“We have representatives on site and the course has been closed until further notice.”

Dibden Golf Centre added: “One of our employees was involved in an accident whilst performing his duties.

“He is now being cared for by the ambulance service and local hospital.

“Our thoughts are with him and we will issue a statement once we have all the facts. The course is closed until further notice.”

Police officers were sent to the course and took photographs of the scene but Hampshire Constabulary said it was not involved in the actual investigation.