Air accident investigators are looking into the cause of a glider crash which left the pilot and a 14-year-old passenger injured.

Their glider crashed in near perfect conditions as it came into land on Saturday afternoon at East Sussex Gliding Club's airstrip at The Broyle, Ringmer, near Lewes.

The teenage boy suffered a broken leg and the 50-year-old pilot, his face streaming with blood, had to be freed from the wreckage by firefighters before he was airlifted to Eastbourne District General Hospital by the Sussex Police helicopter, suffering from spinal injuries.

The club continued its flights throughout the weekend despite the accident. Officials are now waiting for the findings of the investigation.

Club chairman Tony Kerwin-Nye said: "This was obviously a regrettable incident and we are concerned for our members who have been hurt.

"At this stage there is little more I can say until we know the findings of the investigation."

Officers from the Air Accidents Investigations Branch, based in Aldershot, have been examining the damaged glider and will interview its pilot.

Mr Kerwin-Nye said: "All our members know there are risks involved with gliding just like with any other sport.

"It can be dangerous but our training schedules are of the highest standard to ensure safety.

"The information we gain from this investigation will be circulated to all gliding clubs so we can all learn from it."

The victims, neither of whom have been named, are described as comfortable. Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening.