TRAVIS drummer Neil Primrose was seriously injured in a swimming pool accident in France and might have died if it had not been for his fellow band members.

Primrose, 30, struck his head after jumping in the pool while relaxing at the weekend with the band after completing a week of European festival appearances.

He was knocked unconscious and was saved when members of the band and road crew dragged him from the pool.

He was taken to hospital in Belfort for emergency treatment and to undergo tests.

Early indications suggest that Primrose has sustained a fracture on one of his vertebrae. He is still in hospital in France and is undergoing further tests.

It is believed that he has had a neck brace fitted and is taking strong painkillers. The injury is thought to have left him unable to open and close his hands properly, and has left him suffering from severe pins and needles in both arms.

The band cancelled its forthcoming live shows in Lucca and Rome in Italy, Carhaix in France, and Dublin Marlay Park.

Speaking from hospital, Primrose said he was fortunate to be alive and said it was thanks to his bandmates that he had been saved.

He said: ''If I'd hit my head a different way, it could have been a lot worse. We went back to the hotel for a couple of beers and I dived into the pool. It was too shallow and I bumped my head and knocked myself out.

''The guys had been watching me but then realised it looked a bit more serious. I was floating beneath the surface of the water. They pretty much jumped in and got me out.''

Primrose, a father of two, is a rally enthusiast and nearly died in a high speed crash only three months ago.

The 30-year-old's car spun out of control at 60mph during a rally at Minehead in Somerset, but he escaped unhurt.

A full statement from the Scottish band's management on the Travis website said: ''On Sunday July 7, Travis concluded a week of European festival appearances with a performance at the Belfort festival in France.

''Whilst relaxing in the pool, Travis drummer Neil Primrose struck his head and was knocked unconscious. After realising his predicament, other band and crew members dragged Neil from the pool and gave him assistance. He was taken by ambulance to the local hospital in Belfort to receive treatment and to undergo tests.

''Early indications suggest that Neil has sustained a fracture on one of his vertebrae and is still in hospital in France undergoing further tests.''

It added: ''We wish to apologise to all our fans for any inconvenience caused but hope you will join us in wishing Neil a full and speedy recovery.''

Travis had been performing at the Eurockeenes festival in Belfort only hours before the accident. The annual festival is a huge attraction for thousands of revellers from all over Europe.

Full refunds are to be offered for all of the cancelled concerts, apart from Carhaix which is a three-day festival.

The rest of the band, Fran Healy, Andy Dunlop and Dougie Payne, were said to be very upset. The group formed after meeting at Glasgow School of Art and has since won an array of music awards.

Travis is due to headline the V2002 festival in mid-August and their latest album The Invisible Band is a huge success.