A WOMAN was airlifted to hospital after she was accidentally shot in the knee, it emerged last night.

The accident happened in Earl Soham, near Framlingham, on Saturday.

Emergency services - including the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance - were called to an unnamed street shortly before 3.50pm.

It is believed the 50-year-old woman was out shooting pigeons when the incident happened.

It is understood she was accidentally shot in the knee by someone she was with who was using a 12 bore shotgun.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said the weapon was initially confiscated by officers while they carried out their inquiries.

She said the shooting had been referred to firearms licensing but the incident was “purely accidental.”

“There will be no further police action,” she said.

A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service confirmed they were called to Earl Soham shortly before 3.50pm on Saturday following reports of a gunshot wound.

She said a 50-year-old woman was treated for a serious knee injury.

“She was obviously in a lot of pain but was stable and conscious,” she added.

The woman was taken by Essex and Herts Air Ambulance to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford - which specialises in plastic surgery.

A spokesman for the charity said: “A doctor and paramedic team treated the lady at the scene and conveyed her to Broomfield Hospital where she was admitted.

“We were called because of the nature of the incident. We also now have a hospital registrar on board the aircraft so the patient was assessed and transferred to the appropriate hospital as quickly as possible.”