THE PARENTS of a teenager impaled on his own bicycle have praised the doctors, paramedics and firefighters who came to his rescue.

Philip and Carol Rowden said they would be eternally grateful to the emergency teams that took such good care of their son, Michael, during what they described as his "harrowing experience".

The 14-year-old Alderman Quilley School pupil had to be freed from his BMX bike by firefighters on Thursday evening after he fell on the handlebars at a skateboard ramp in Eastleigh's Fleming Park.

The painstaking operation took nearly an hour because the handlebars had penetrated his groin, close to major arteries, and could not be sawn away.

Hampshire Ambulance Service sent two doctors and a rapid response vehicle followed by an ambulance while fire crews from Eastleigh fire station also attended to cut Michael free.

Michael was taken under police escort to Southampton General Hospital, where he underwent a two-hour operation to remove the bars and received treatment for a broken wrist.

Now his relieved parents have spoken of their admiration for everyone who helped them through the ordeal and are hoping he will be back at the family home and with his two brothers, Gary, 16, and Phillip, 12, today.

Mr Rowden, of Mansbridge, Southampton, said: "We just want to say a big thank you to the people that were involved in the incident, especially the paramedics.

"It was a harrowing experience and a really delicate operation. But they handled it very well - they were brilliant.

"Now we are just looking forward to having Michael back with us. His brothers miss him too."

Eastleigh Borough Council confirmed it had immediately inspected the ramp and it was found to be in good condition. BMX rider Dave Brown, 16, of Nightingale Avenue, witnessed Michael receiving treatment after the incident, but said it would not put him off riding the ramps.

He said: "It hasn't put me off because I think that was a one-off. It's never happened before. It won't stop me riding the ramps."