AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into a footpath which runs close to the 35 foot ravine which almost claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy.

Schoolboy Daniel Bennett, of Kirk View, Waterfoot, is being treated at Royal Preston Hospital after he slipped and tumbled down the drop at The Glen, off Bacup Road, Waterfoot.

Now Rossendale Borough Council, which owns the land, is to investigate the safety of the path to prevent further accidents.

Daniel was airlifted to hospital after a huge rescue operation involving fire, ambulance, doctors and search and rescue teams on Wednesday night.

His condition was said to be improving. He has been moved out of intensive care and is described as stable.

The Glen, where Daniel fell, passed into the hands of Bacup Borough Council, which became part of Rossendale Borough Council, in 1972 when the old East Lancashire railway line was closed.

John Haines, development services manager of Rossendale Borough Council, said: "After this accident we will have to investigate the path. The council as a whole will have to address the problem.

"It has become a well used path by people and I have not been aware of any accidents there before."

Michael MacShea, councillor for Stacksteads, said: "This is a terrible accident. Now someone needs to take responsibility for it and get it fenced up. It is a dangerous spot and needs tending to."

The pathway leads to the playing fields which belong to Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School.

But the school stopped using the path as an access point to their playing fields 15 years ago because of fears over the children's safety.

Martyn Morris, headteacher, said: "Just before I came here 15 years ago they used The Glen to access the playing fields. But it was decided on grounds of health and safety that it was not reasonable to expect young children to use it.

"It was decided that unless there was a hand rail running up the side of the path we would not use it."

At Daniel's school, Fearns County High, fellow pupils were told about the accident yesterday morning by form tutors.

Neil Thornley, headteacher, said: "Daniel is still very ill but we are grateful he is still alive and we are very much looking forward to him getting better and coming back."

Daniel's mother Heather is keeping a permanent vigil at his bedside. His three brothers Lee Scott, 18, Andrew, 22, Christopher, 24 and younger sister Gemma, 14 are also at the hospital.

Grandfather Lawrence Bennett, said: "He was showing signs of improvement yesterday, we are hopeful he will make a full recovery.

"He is still heavily sedated and has a cage around his head to protect where he has had surgery.

"He was really lucky when you see where he fell down. It is a huge drop."

"His mother is staying there until he recovers."