Pembroke scout headquarters.

The nine-year-old tumbled about eight feet after stepping backwards into the room.

He was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, but is not thought to be seriously hurt.

The incident occurred at a scout headquarters in Admiralty House Park, Spanish Point, near the Pembroke Community Hall.

The basement room -- used for storing equipment -- is in the main meeting hall.

Eye-witnesses told firemen the youngster's shirt became trapped in a table.

This caused him to stumble and fall backwards into the basement.

Ambulance and fire crews rushed to the scene at around 9 p.m..

Firemen strapped the pain-wracked boy to a board and hauled him carefully up the steps leading to the basement.

He was then placed on a stretcher and whisked to hospital.

Fire officer Sgt. Stephen Hayward said he did not believe the youngster was badly hurt.

"He did not appear to have any external injuries, and was conscious when we arrived,'' he said.

Sgt. Hayward said the basement was called the "glory hole'' by local scouts.

"Eye-witnesses said the boy was getting some refreshment when his shirt became entangled in the table.

"He tried to unhitch it, and is believed to have fallen backwards.'' Sgt. Hayward estimated the youngster -- who has not been named -- fell about eight feet.

"We put him onto a backboard and secured him, before lifting him up the steps and placing him on a stretcher. It didn't take us long to rescue him.'' A Police spokesman last night said it was unknown whether the boy belongs to a scout troop.

"He is not thought to be seriously hurt,'' he added.