Several children were injured including one who broke his kneecap after a roundabout at a council playground collapsed.

A young boy had his leg crushed beneath some of the heavy equipment as it came crashing down at Riverside Country Park in Gillingham yesterday afternoon.

The youngster had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance and now has his leg in plaster after fracturing his kneecap during the accident.

Several other children are also believed to have suffered cuts and bruises.

It is understood the boy’s leg was trapped by a large metal ring. He also suffered some muscle damage and multiple cuts and bruises.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said: “I arrived after it happened. The young boy was on the floor screaming in agony.

"I think a ranger called for the ambulance while his mum comforted him, it looked like his legs were injured."

The playground is free to use for children who visit the park with their parents.

It was given a makeover in 2014 when new equipment including the roundabout was unveiled by Cllrs David Carr and Howard Doe.

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: "We were called at approximately 12.50pm yesterday to reports of a patient with arm and leg injuries as a result of a fall from play equipment.

"One ambulance crew attended the scene.

"The patient was assessed and treated before being taken to Medway Maritime Hospital."

The park in Lower Rainham Road is managed by Medway Council, which has been approached for comment.

A Medway Council spokesman said: “It is concerning to hear that children have been injured while playing in a park.

"We are working with our contractor, which maintains the play equipment, to fully review the incident and establish the circumstances.”