THE DISTRAUGHT family of little Charles McMurray who is fighting for his life after plunging 25ft through a warehouse skylight were today anxious to stress to other children the dangers of playing on roofs.

The seven-year-old is said to be seriously brain damaged and has undergone two major operations since the fall at St Hubert's Mill, Cambridge Street, Great Harwood, on Tuesday evening.

His mum Karen Carrington and stepdad Geoffrey Cougill have not left his bedside in the intensive care unit at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.

Mr Cougill said: "We were told his chances were 50/50 when he was brought in, but now we are just clinging to a glimmer of hope.

"He's very very poorly and we're told seriously brain damaged, but at the moment he seems to be holding his own."

Mr Cougill said they had heard about the similar accident in Haslingden at the weekend when a youngster was seriously injured after climbing on a building and emphasised to parents how quickly tragedy could strike.

He said Charles had only been outside ten minutes playing with his brother Stephen and stepbrother Dion when he scrambled alone on to the roof to collect a toy.

Charles was found lying unconscious on the floor of the warehouse and was taken to Blackburn Infirmary and later transferred to Manchester.

Mr Cougill said: "Charles is just a typical seven-year-old boy who loves playing out, can be boisterous and rowdy like all children, but has a heart of gold.

"He's a handsome little boy with a lovely smile and would do anything for anybody."

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