A YOUNG bridesmaid was airlifted to hospital with serious facial injuries after a dog attack just hours before a family wedding.

Twelve-year-old Michaela Evans, of Kendal, was due at the ceremony in the town on Saturday but was rushed to a specialist children’s hospital after her face was bitten.

The incident at a house at Sandylands Road – around two hours before the wedding – has shocked the community.

A former Stramongate School pupil, Michaela has undergone extensive surgery and remains in hospital with her family by her side.

Emergency services were called to the property just after 9am on Saturday following a report of a dog attacking a 12-year-old girl.

MORE TOP STORIES: A spokesman for the police said the girl suffered ‘serious facial injuries’.

Two ambulances attended the scene of the ‘major trauma’ and a North West Air Ambulance helicopter landed at Kendal Rugby Club.

Continued on page 4 from page 1 Although her injuries were not said to be ‘critical’, a North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said the casualty was flown to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, for further treatment.

Michaela is believed to have undergone six hours of surgery on Saturday and has had a subsequent operation and may require more.

The wedding of Jonny Matthews, 26, and Michaela’s aunt Pippa Allen is understood to have been delayed on Saturday, but went ahead later at St George’s Church at Castle Street.

Jonty Martindale, who was playing in his band Boomerang at the evening party at Kendal’s Castle Green Hotel, said: “It’s a terrible thing. It must have put a dampener on the day as the bride was almost going to call it off as her mother went to Alder Hey (with Michaela).

“It will have been a traumatic experience.”

But despite the day’s tragic events, he said the atmosphere at the reception remained ‘pretty upbeat’.

“People knew she was in the best hands and it could have been much worse, although what happened was very significant,” he added. “It seemed to be like a normal wedding.”

The musician and fellow band members organised a collection for the North West Air Ambulance Service, which raised around £300.

“We discussed it first within the band and thought we’d see if we could raise a few pounds and people just kept sticking money in all night,” he said, Jonny Gios, Sandylands community worker, said: “I was shocked to hear of this unfortunate accident that happened on Sandylands this week.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Michaela and her family. We will be praying for a speedy recovery from hospital.”

Officers confirmed they had seized the dog which had bitten the victim. It is said to be a cross between a Labrador and a Staffordshire bull terrier.

* Cumbria Police said they had arrested a 44-year-old man from Brampton on suspicion of breaching section three of the Dangerous Dogs Act. He is on bail until September 15.