firefighters have been praised for prompt action in giving first aid to injured people after a parachutist ploughed through a crowd at last Saturday's Bosbury Bonanza fete.

Around 600 people watched as a freak gust of wind blew one parachutist into spectators behind a safety partition on the playing fields at Bosbury Primary School.

Event organiser Rachel McGill said: "It was really unfortunate. The guy did everything in his power to take most of the impact himself. The parachute pulled him along and he clipped the crowd.

"Ledbury fire crew administered first aid and were fantastic. Everyone did their utmost to take care of the people."

Sub-officer Terry Phillips, who was at the event with four colleagues and an appliance as one of the main attractions, said: "All four parachutists jumped out of one helicopter. The second swung round and came straight through the side of the crowd. It was like skittles. It looked quite bad."

Seven people were originally thought to have been injured and firefighters swung into action offering first aid and reassurance. SO Phillips called for two ambulances but one was stood down after a re-assessment indicated that only three members of the public were likely to need hospital treatment. They included two young boys, both under ten years of age. One had a cut mouth while the other had severe bruising to his knees and legs. A middle-aged woman also received "a severe bang on the head".

An ambulance from Ledbury arrived promptly and took all three to hospital in Hereford. The youngest boy was kept in overnight before being released the following day.

Mrs McGill, who has contacted the injured parties to express her concern and offer apologies, said: "We just wanted them checked out. Everyone has been understanding."

She said both the parachute team and the fete itself were insured against accidents.

Fete report and pictures, see page 13