A COUNCILLOR and his teenage daughter are being treated in hospital after an accident on a Hampshire country road.

Cllr Jeremy Heron and his children were travelling in his Land Rover Defender when it overturned.

Reports suggested that one of the youngsters had been thrown from the vehicle, which was being driven by Cllr Heron, who had to be cut free.

The New Forest district councillor, who represents Ringwood and also serves as a town councillor, is understood to have suffered broken wrists and a broken collarbone in the crash.

His daughter Emily had a ruptured spleen. Both are being treated at Southampton General Hospital.

Three other passengers, including Mr Heron’s two sons, suffered minor injuries.

It is believed that one of the youngsters, aged 17, had to be airlifted to hospital by Hampshire Air Ambulance paramedics.

Belted in No other car was involved in the accident, which happened at Broomy Plain, near Linwood, at about 1.15pm on Saturday, apparently after the vehicle hit a patch of gravel.

Council colleague Cllr Stephen Rippon-Swaine told the Echo last night: “They were all belted in so thankfully it wasn’t as serious as it could have been and we are all very grateful for that.

“It’s all rather a shock and the thoughts of everyone are with Jeremy and his family.”

He added: “Fortunately the Land Rover is a very sturdy vehicle and I am sure that played a part in helping to minimise the injuries.

“We all wish him and Emily a speedy recovery.”

Two fire engines from Ringwood attended the incident.

A police spokesperson said: “There were no life-threatening injuries. The road was closed for a little while as the driver was trapped for a time.”

The Conservative councillor comes from a highly political family. His brother Edward is also a member of New Forest District Council, and his mother Kathy is Hampshire county councillor for Fordingbridge. “He is on the mend,” she said.