An 11-year-old boy was injured in a freak accident on a trampoline after one of its springs broke off and struck him on the back - leaving him bleeding and in agony.

The boy's father, Dave O'Leary, has now issued a warning to other parents following the accident at their Lowestoft home.

Mr O'Leary was outside with his two young sons while his son Cam, 11, was playing on their garden trampoline.

The trampoline's spring came loose, with the pressure launching it into the air and striking Cam on the back causing a large amount of blood from the injury. 

Lowestoft Journal: The trampoline's spring which has been blurred as parts of flesh were left attached.The trampoline's spring which has been blurred as parts of flesh were left attached. (Image: Dave O'Leary)

Mr O'Leary said: "At 5pm Cam yelped and I looked over to see him holding his back and glaring at his brother Axl - as Cam had assumed that his younger brother had accidentally hit him with the tennis racket he was playing with."

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"It was then that I saw blood coming through his t-shirt. Upon lifting his shirt it was clear he had been struck by something. It only then became apparent the spring had snapped and fired at him."

Lowestoft Journal: Dave O'Leary's children seen playing on the trampoline a few years prior.Dave O'Leary's children seen playing on the trampoline a few years prior. (Image: Dave O'Leary)

Blood can be seen covering the entirety of Cam's white shirt that was worn during the incident. The family purchased the 10-foot Sportspower trampoline on May 28 in 2018 - making it less than five-years-old.

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Upon further inspection, Mr O'Leary concluded that the trampoline's spring had developed a fracture and repeated pressure caused it to come loose, embedding itself in his son's skin.

Lowestoft Journal: Cam O'Leary's white top - covered with blood after the incident.Cam O'Leary's white top - covered with blood after the incident. (Image: Dave O'Leary)

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He said: "Once the spring broke loose it must have rotated in the air 180 degrees as the razor-sharp fractured end is clearly what hit him.

"To prevent this from ever happening again I will inspect every spring regularly and replace any worn springs.

"I would encourage everyone to do the same as I would hate to read of another child being harmed in this way."

Sportspower has been contacted for comment.