A MAN who broke his neck after falling into a ditch next to a secluded footpath is urging council bosses to erect a fence to protect the public.

David Hepple, of Balmoral Road, Darwen, has been backed by Coun Karimeh Foster, who said she had been campaigning for the safety work for three years.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has launched an inquiry into the incident, which, it revealed, could result in legal proceedings.

David, 40, fell victim to the path, off Cemetery Road, while he was walking home from a friend's house in December.

He said: "I worry for children who ride down here on their bikes and I've seen people fall down here before now. It's dangerous and something needs doing urgently.

"The path is a short cut from Bolton Road to my street and I walk down there every day.

"It was around midnight and I thought I'd heard something behind me so I turned around.

"The next thing I remember, I'd fallen over and hit my head. I was in the water and I couldn't get out and it was very cold.

"My neck, the back of my head and shoulders were in so much pain. I was there for about 20 minutes before I could get up.

"I couldn't call help from my mobile because it was soaking wet and I couldn't see because it was pitch black.

"Eventually I got up and I could see a house light in the distance." David made his way to a house in Marton Walk, where he was recognised by a friend.

He said: "I know her just to say hello to and it was her house I ended up in.

"She was fantastic. She ran me a hot bath and called an ambulance. My body was blue, it was so cold."

X-rays at Blackburn Royal Infirmary revealed David's neck was inflamed and he was kept in overnight but he returned to the hospital four weeks later because of the pain.

He said: "When I went back they transferred me to Queen's Park who carried out more X-rays. The inflammation had gone down so they could see that I'd broken a couple of vertebrae in my neck."

In January, David underwent an operation at the Royal Preston Hospital and had two metal plates inserted into his neck to replace the broken bones.

He said: "I also needed stitches in my throat and on my hip because they took another bone from there.

"I've only just recovered and I'm self-employed as a washing machine fixer, so I haven't been able to do any work."

Coun Karimeh Foster, of Whitehall ward, said: "I'm absolutely furious that the path hasn't been fixed because it's so dangerous.

"The next time someone falls it could lead to a death.

"Something needs to be done now because it's just not good enough."

Executive member for leisure and culture for Blackburn with Darwen Council Coun Kate Hollern said: "We will look into this unfortunate incident and we wish Mr Hepple a speedy recovery.

"Since there may be legal proceedings, it is not appropriate to comment further."