FIRE chiefs have issued a warning to youngsters not to climb railings after a teenager became impaled.

The 16-year-old was speared through the hand and trapped on a large spike for around 30 minutes while fire crews cut him free from the metal railings at the rear of Broad Oak High School on Topping Fold Road, Bury.

It followed two other incidents across Greater Manchester in the last week where people have suffered similar injuries.

The victims were all freed using specialist cutting equipment, and fire chiefs stressed the dangers should not be underestimated. They say that injuries from such accidents are usually severe and may in some cases fatal.

County Fire Officer Barry Dixon said: "It seems quite an obvious message really -- don't climb over metal railings, you could get seriously injured.

"Unfortunately, it isn't one that is being adhered to. Most of these incidents occur because people are taking a short cut. Hopefully, by highlighting these incidents, we might convince people to take the long route in future."