A keeper is in a serious condition in hospital after an incident involving a rhino at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.

The man, who is in his 50s, was found in water in the rhino enclosure at 8.15am with injuries to the chest, abdomen and pelvis.

He was stabilised at the scene and then taken by ambulance to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

Dave Tamarro, of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: "When we arrived it was clear that the patient had received a number of injuries.

"We stabilised the patient whilst the air ambulance was on its way.

"Both trust staff and the Magpas air ambulance crew worked well together to treat the patient, who was then taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital by land ambulance in a serious condition."

A spokesperson for the zoo said: “At approximately 8.15am this morning an injured keeper was found by other members of staff within an enclosure.

"Emergency services were immediately called and the keeper involved was treated by paramedics at the scene. He has been taken to hospital."

A Magpas air ambulance spokeswoman said the man had been "immersed in water" during the incident and was given enhanced pain relief at the scene.

She said: "He was helped out of the water by staff at the zoo. The Magpas team assessed the patient, who suffered serious injuries, and put measures into place to keep him warm as his body temperature had dropped considerably."

On arrival at hospital the man was in a "serious but stable condition", the spokeswoman added.

The incident is being investigated by the Zoological Society of London.