A TOP gymnast is fighting for his life after a freak accident while training in the county.

Chris Fordham was at the Jumpers Rebound Centre in Gillingham when he landed on his back awkwardly and fractured his skull. Chris, 23, was using a double mini-tramp, a cross between a trampoline and a gymnastic trampette, when he fell.

Immediately after the accident he was taken to nearby Medway Maritime Hospital for emergency treatment, but he was later transferred to a specialist unit at King’s College Hospital in London.

Since then he has undergone an emergency operation and is now on a life-support machine in intensive care.

A spokesman from the British Gymnastics Association said: "The accident happened when Chris made a mistake. He fell from the trampoline, clearing the six-metre safety mat and landing badly on his back, injuring his head.

"We have been told the doctors are happy with his progress. We are all trying to stay patient for the sake of his recovery and for his family and friends."

Chris, who is originally from Wales, represented Great Britain at the Double Mini Trampoline World Championships in 2003. He was also a senior member of the Welsh trampoline team who reached the British nationals.

Matt Newman, the chief executive of Welsh Gymnastics said: "Chris is an experienced international gymnast. This is an extremely rare and freak accident."

A spokesman from King’s College Hospital confirmed: "Chris Fordham is in intensive care. He is on a ventilator. He underwent an operation and his current condition is stable."

The accident happened on Saturday, February 18.