A TEENAGER is lucky to be alive after he was blasted in the back in a bizarre shooting accident.

And a top Bury detective says he hopes the incident will bring home to young people the dangers of "meddling" with firearms.

Michael Chant (16) was accidentally shot in the back by his 13-year-old pal as both boys walked across playing fields near Ribble Drive County Primary School, Whitefield, late on Monday (June 9).

Detectives eventually recovered the missing weapon, after an anonymous telephone call, and discovered a live bullet still in the breech.

Police say the .22 semi-automatic Anschutz rifle legitimately belonged to the injured boy's father but had been taken from their home in New Road, Radcliffe, without the family's knowledge.

Several shots were fired in the direction of the school as the boys walked across a nearby grassed area.

Head of Bury CID, Det Ch Insp Tony Simister said that as the weapon was being handled by the 13-year-old, Michael suddenly moved in front of him - and was shot in the back.

"There is no suggestion that this was anything but accidental," he stressed. The injured teenager, helped by his pal, stumbled from the playing fields to the nearby Elizabethan pub where the alarm was raised.

An ambulance crew took Michael to North Manchester General Hospital where he is said to be "poorly, but making progress" in the intensive care unit.

Initially, detectives feared an unknown gunman had fired at the two youngsters.

"Our immediate concern was there was some sort of sniper on the loose, taking pot-shots at that location," added Det Ch Insp Simister.

But later the 13-year-old told detectives he had hidden the weapon in bushes near where the shooting took place.

"But when our officers searched the area, they found only a magazine containing the ammunition, but not the weapon itself," disclosed Det Ch Insp Simister.

"We believed someone may have chanced upon it, perhaps in the dark. I was also fearful because the area was so close to the school," he added.

Radio and TV reports of the weapon's disappearance resulted in police receiving an anymous tip-off late on Tuesday.

The CID chief said: "We were told if we went to toilets at a building site at Lower Moss Lane, we would find it there - which we did."

The 13-year-old boy has been quizzed by police and his injured friend will also be interviewed at a later date.

Det Ch Insp Simister said once inquiries were concluded, he would decide whether any charges would follow. He added: "I hope this brings home to young people the danger associated with the improper use of firearms.

"A 16-year-old could easily have lost his life and may still be subject to permanent injuries."

He stressed it was important for people of all ages to realise "meddling" with firearms should not be just associated with cowboy films. He warned: "These weapons are extremely dangerous items when used in untrained hands."

Det Ch Insp Simister added: "As far as I am aware although the injured boy is making progress, he is still poorly and drifting in and out of consciousness."

Tuesday's police presence in and around the area of Ribble Drive CP School prompted headteacher Mrs Susan Erswell to close down for the day.

"I decided this would be the right thing to do, given all the police activity close by," she said. That gave 200 pupils an unexpected day off. Part of the school grounds remained cordoned off for many hours as police officers undertook a search of playing fields.

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