Published Monday, 30 August 2010
It is understood the boy was playing in the water when the accident happened at Cranfield Bay, near Kilkeel, just before 5pm on Monday.
Reports indicate the youngster was hit by a speedboat.
Belfast Coastguard said the child was given first aid on the beach by a lifeguard and a doctor who happened to be on scene.
Kilkeel RNLI inshore lifeboat was asked to attend, as was the local Coastguard Rescue Team.
The boy was transported to the Daisy Hill hospital in Newry by ambulance. He was later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
It is understood he is suffering from serious head injuries.
Alan Pritchard, Watch Manager at Belfast Coastguard said: "Seemingly the child was on their knees on a wake board being towed by a boat when another power boat came from the beach and across the towed board carrying the child. We are working closely with Newry Police to establish all the facts. We do not have any further information on the condition of the child."
Isaac Hanna, who is a UUP councillor for the Mourne area, said the beach was very busy because of the good weather on Bank Holiday Monday.
"It is in an area where you could wade out for nearly a quarter of a mile and the water still wouldn't be over your waist. It's a very safe area."
"I still don't know if the young boy is from the area. With the weather being so good, the beach was very busy," he said.