The eight-year-old niece of US singer Britney Spears is in a critical but reportedly stable condition after an off-roading accident on the singer’s Louisiana property.

Maddie Aldridge, the only daughter of singer Jamie Lynn Spears, was airlifted to hospital after the all terrain vehicle (ATV) she was riding in reportedly flipped over into a lake on Sunday afternoon.

According to a statement by Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards, the girl was submerged underwater for minutes before being rescued.

Maddie was steering the vehicle at the time and, in trying to avoid a drainage pipe, over-corrected and entered the pond.

Jamie Lynn Spears, 25, as well as Maddie’s stepfather, Jamie Watson, were both present when the accident occurred.

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Britney has shared an image of her niece to social media, with the caption:‪ “Need all the wishes and prayers for my niece.”‬

A rep for the family toldFox News, “Right now the Spears family asks that everyone respect their privacy during this time and appreciates all the prayers and support for their family.”

As well as this, Spears’ father, Maddie’s grandfather, told ET , “All I can say is pray for our baby Maddie.”

Maddie is being cared for in New Orleans hospital, where doctors say she is in a critical but stable condition.