Woman ‘breaks back’ in sledging accident

A woman is being treated in hospital for serious injuries following a freak sledging accident in Fife over the weekend, it has emerged.

The casualty, who is said to be in her forties, had to be stretchered away from Cupar Golf Club on Saturday after what started out as a fun morning in the snow turned sour.

It is understood the woman suffered a serious back injury, although the Scottish Ambulance Service refused to confirm suggestions locally that she suffered a fractured vertebrae.

Witnesses said she appeared to have landed awkwardly as the sledge travelled over a bunker at the foot of a hill.

Paramedics were called and the woman was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for further treatment.

It is understood the ambulance was unable to drive up to the golf club, due to the conditions, and medics were forced to park on Sandylands Road before walking the rest of the way.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said the alarm was raised at 10.15am on Saturday, adding: “We dispatched one ambulance to the scene.

“One female patient in her forties was transported to Ninewells Hospital.”

The course has been a popular sledging venue for generations of Cuparians and hundreds of people of all ages have been taking to the slopes to enjoy the snow there over the last few days.

The clubhouse was closed when the accident happened, although disclaimer notices were posted by the golf club warning people who wanted to sledge were doing so at their own risk.

The course is owned by the National Trust for Scotland.