A TEENAGE girl was lucky to avoid serious injury after falling “face first” while water skiing in Netherton.

The incident happened at the Dudley Watersports Centre in Highbridge Road, at about 3pm on Wednesday afternoon (August 31).

A rapid response vehicle, an ambulance and a paramedic officer from the Hazardous Area Response Team were sent to the scene, along with firefighters.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff were told that the 14 year old girl had fallen face first.

“The Watersports Centre’s own rescue staff had done a superb job looking after the girl and bringing her to the waters edge.

“There she was immobilised before being lifted out of the water and taken to the ambulance for an assessment.

“She was complaining of back pain so was given pain relief before being taken to Russells Hall Hospital.”

It was initially reported on Wednesday that the girl was injured after going over a water ski jump, however, that information – provided by the ambulance service – was incorrect.