Tree-fall boy Jack Humphrey, 11, impaled on 6ft fence

An 11-year-old boy was held up by a passer-by for 45 minutes after he fell on to a 6ft (1.8m) metal fence spike.

Rescuers said the dog walker who held Jack Humphrey up after he fell out of a tree and impaled his arm was a "true hero".

The accident happened while the boy was playing near Longlands Road in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, on Sunday.

He was taken to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he is in a stable condition.

He suffered severe arm lascerations and was given painkillers while firefighters cut him free.

A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance, which assisted in the rescue, said: "The 11-year-old was enjoying his adventures when the branch he was on gave way and he fell, impaling himself through the arm, six feet up on the spikes of a metal fence.

"A passer-by spotted what happened and held him up to stop him slipping further while calling for assistance and stayed with him throughout the 45 minute rescue."

"He was a massive help to us, and kept the patient's spirits up," the spokesman added.

"Without doubt the serious injury would have been much worse without him - he was a true local hero."