A SCHOOLBOY from the Ringwood area had a miraculous escape yesterday afternoon when he fell from a footbridge on top one of Hampshire's busiest roads.

The 12-year-old boy landed on the westbound carriageway of the A31 at Poulner but, amazingly, approaching cars managed to avoid hitting him.

He did suffer serious injuries to his feet and ankles and was rushed to Salisbury District Hospital by the Dorset Air Ambulance where he is being treated. He was conscious and talking when he left the scene

The incident happened at about 3.45pm, just before the late-afternoon rush hour traffic had built up.

Hampshire police immediately raced to the scene and, with the air ambulance also involved, both the eastbound and westbound carriageways were closed for half-an-hour.

Before the closure, there was a three-vehicle accident on the eastbound carriageway at a point where motorists may have been looking across to see the westbound incident.

The boy, who has not been named, is a pupil at Ringwood School and was believed to have been on his way home.

Head teacher Tony May said: "We don't know very much, other than the fact that he fell from the bridge.

"Several members of staff went to the scene and his parents were informed."

He added: "Everyone here is very concerned for him but we are optimistic that he will be all right."