A MAN in his 20s was fighting for life in hospital on Monday after he was critically injured in a fall at the Tamworth skate park at the weekend.
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The 21-year-old suffered severe head injuries in a fall on Friday night - one of two serious accidents that sparked huge emergency responses at the popular skate bowl on the weekend.
The 21-year-old was listed in a critical condition on Monday in John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, after he was flown from Tamworth late on Friday night.
A 24-year-old also spent the weekend recovering in Tamworth hospital after he fell off a scooter on Saturday afternoon inside the bowl, off Peel Street.
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Both men were not wearing helmets at the times of the accidents, police have confirmed.
"[The 21-year-old] was riding a bicycle in the skate park and has ridden down the ramp and fallen and hit his head," Oxley Inspector Michael Moy told the Leader.
"He suffered serious head injuries as a result of that."
The accident happened just before 7pm on Friday. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and rushed to Tamworth hospital before the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked. The critical care medical team then airlifted the 21-year-old to Newcastle where he remained on Monday.
"He is listed in a critical condition," Inspector Moy confirmed.
Inspector Moy said a 24-year-old man was riding a scooter and fell over, landing on his shoulder and head.
He suffered shoulder, facial and head injuries.
A spokesperson for Ambulance NSW confirmed on Saturday the 24-year-old "had to be extracted out" of the skate bowl after suffering a serious head injury.
He was assessed and treated at the scene before being taken to Tamworth hospital in a stable condition.
Inspector Moy implored locals to take precautions at the park, which is signposted reminding users to wear helmets.
"There is signage set up in the park regarding the use," he said.
"It would be advisable to be wearing a helmet given the use of the park and the nature of the activities."
Several rescue personnel were called to the popular skate park on both occasions including ambulance rescue, paramedics and police.
Since the skate park and deep skate bowl was opened in May 2019, ambulance rescue has carried out regular training sessions in the bowl to prepare for emergencies.