A Crawley playground remains closed after a nine-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital when a piece of equipment fell on his head.

People living near Cherry Lane Adventure Playground in Crawley said about seven police cars were called to the scene on Monday afternoon after the youngster suffered a head injury.

The air ambulance landed in a field opposite the park and the boy was flown to hospital in South London.

Yesterday the park, run by Crawley Borough Council, remained closed and the council said it would remain so until all the remaining structures were inspected.

People using a smaller play park opposite yesterday said the youngster involved attends a primary school in Ifield, Crawley, where he also lives, and was injured after ropes on a large wooden swing-style structure broke.

One man said: “We played there as kids and the swings do go pretty high. It looks as though the rope snapped and the boy hit his head.

“Police in forensic suits were there all afternoon on Tuesday.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Emergency services were called at just before 1pm on Tuesday to a play area on Cherry Lane, Crawley to a child who had been injured.

“A nine-year-old boy from Crawley had been struck by a pole, part of the playground equipment, and suffered a head injury.

“He has been airlifted to St George's Hospital to be treated. He is in a stable condition. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.”

A council spokeswoman added: “We are sorry about the accident and our thoughts are with the boy and his family.

“We wish him a full recovery.

“Cherry Lane Adventure Playground has closed for open access play and will remain closed until all equipment and structures have been checked and confirmed as safe.

“The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and we will be working with them to establish exactly what happened.”

The park, which includes a number of wooden structures, is open free of charge from 11.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday during the school holidays.