A teenager who was seriously injured in a hammer throwing accident in Adelaide’s north is “fighting for his life” in hospital, with police describing the situation as “tragic” and saying an investigation will be carried out into the circumstances of the incident.

13 year old christian A Brothers College student was taken to hospital on Thursday evening following an incident at St Albans Reserve in Clearview.

Paramedics were called to the sports field just before 5pm following a report that a child had suffered a serious head injury during a school training session.

South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the “full circumstances” of the incident were not clear but it appeared to be an “extremely unfortunate accident”.

“It’s a pretty tragic situation,” he said.

“This young boy is now fighting for his life as a result of his injuries.”

The commissioner said there would “of course be investigations” into the circumstances that led to the accident.

“For now, we hope he will survive,” he said.

“This is one of those incredibly unfortunate accidents that happen.

Christian Brothers College principal David Johnston confirmed in a statement that one of the school’s seventh-grade students suffered a “very unfortunate” accident during sports training on the reserve.

“We have hired school counselors and additional support staff to provide guidance and emotional support to both students and staff during this difficult time.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the student, his family, friends and the broader CBC community.”

St Albans Reserve has several motorsport facilities and is home to the Enfield Harriers Sports Club.

“The school training took place on our premises,” said a club spokesman.

“The details of what led up to this incident are unclear, but we are very concerned about the damage that has been done and our thoughts and prayers go out to the young man.”

A spokesman for the South Australian Ambulance Service said the boy was treated at the scene and then taken by ambulance to Women and Children’s Hospital.