A HORSE rider has been airlifted to hospital for the third time after coming off his steed.

An air ambulance was called to a field off Common Lane in Cleobury Mortimer just after 11.30am on Monday morning.

The rider, a man in his 60s, was stuck in a puddle in the muddy field having landed on his head.

“The initial call came in at around 11.30am to reports of a man in his 60’s who had fallen from a horse," said a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman.

“When the paramedic arrived they discovered the man sitting in a puddle in a muddy field.

“It appeared that he had landed on his head as his helmet had a dent in it.

“The man was immobilised as the initial patient survey suggested a potential back injury.

"Given the weather and the fact that he was wet, cold also became an issue and he was given a heat blanket.

“After treatment at the scene he was airlifted to the Major Trauma Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham by the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford.

“This is the third time the man has been airlifted to hospital after incidents involving a horse.”