A TEENAGER injured in a bizarre shooting incident has been discharged from hospital a week after the accident.

It is understood police will soon interview 16-year-old Michael Chant, of New Road, Radcliffe, about the accident which could have cost him his life.

Michael was accidentally shot in the back by a 13-year-old friend as the boys walked across playing fields near Ribble Drive County Primary School on Whitefield's Hillock Estate. The family has declined to talk about the incident.

Michael was treated in North Manchester General Hospital's intensive care unit for a time before being moved to a general ward. He was discharged on Monday (June 16).

The weapon involved, a .22 semi-automatic Anschutz rifle, legitimately belonged to Michael's father and had been taken from the family home at New Road, Radcliffe, without his permission.

Police recovered the rifle from toilets at a building site in Lower Moss Lane, Whitefield.

Det Ch Insp Simister warned: "These weapons are extremely dangerous items when used in untrained hands."

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