LUCKY-to-be-alive David Hughes suffered a double fracture to the skull after falling 15 feet backwards from a mill wall.

And today his mother Karen praised emergency services after hearing that he could be back home with his family in Stanthorpe Walk, Burnley, tomorrow.

Mrs Hughes said: "He has been so lucky and we want to thank all the emergency services for what they did to help him, they were all brilliant.''

David, 12, a pupil at Barden High School, was playing with his brother, Anthony, ten, and friends on a wall at the Pendelfin Studios Ltd, Cameron Mill, Howsin Street, Burnley, at about 8pm last night when he lost his footing and fell backwards into the car park.

Firefighters battled for half an hour to rescue the stricken youngster. At first it was feared he might have broken his back.

They administered first aid by radio link to paramedics while colleagues used high-powered cutting equipment on the locked yard gates to allow an ambulance in.

The area was lit up with special lamps while the dramatic rescue was taking place.

Station Officer David Bent said the rescue operation was a difficult one and warned youngsters not to play on high walls.

"Getting to the lad was quite a problem. We somehow had to get a ladder up and over the wall and administer first aid while also cutting the gates open.

"He had suspected spinal injuries so it was really quite tricky. We couldn't take him over the wall so we had to get the gates open to allow an ambulance in." He added: "It just goes to show that it is extremely dangerous for children to play on high walls and we are warning them to be more careful about where they play.''

David's mum arrived on the scene during rescue operations after Anthony ran home to break the bad news.

She said: "It was panic stations. I had to find someone to look after my foster daughter, two-year-old Chelsea and then to run round to the mill.

"He was lying there. It was dark and he was frightened and unable to move. I couldn't get to him because the gates were locked. It was terrible.

"He has been so lucky he didn't break his back as was first feared. He has two fractures of the skull. He is probably having a scan today and, so long as there is no internal bleeding, I have been told he may be home tomorrow.''

David has been detained in a ward where he already knows staff having undergone two operations last year after badly dislocating his knee in a footballing accident.

His mum said: "He wears a leg brace but he didn't have it on at the time. When I asked him what happened he said he just lost his footing."

David is keen on all sports but especially fishing. He has an older brother, Lee, 13.

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