YOUNGSTERS are being warned to keep away from industrial units after a 12 years old Leigh boy was lucky to escape with his life after plunging 40 feet through a factory roof onto a concrete floor.

Anthony Doyle, of Hulme Road, Leigh, a pupil of Bedford High School, had a miraculous escape, suffering a badly broken arm and swelling, bruising and cuts to his head and face.

He had been playing on the roof of Lowton Glass and Glazing Supplies in Pennington Street on the town's Firsdale Industrial Estate, with a young friend at about 8pm when the accident happened, causing £1,000 worth of damage.

His friend, who watched in horror as Anthony fell through the roof, then raised the alarm.

Crews from all three emergency services attended the scene and Anthony was rushed to Wigan Royal Infirmary, where his arm was operated on.

Despite his injuries he was allowed to return home on Tuesday morning.

A police spokesman said: "It appears Anthony has been very lucky.

"But children must be warned not to play on roofs of industrial or factory premises because they are very dangerous places."

Anthony's mother, Pam, raced to the factory and tried to comfort him as he lay in a pool of blood waiting for rescuers to get to him.

Her husband Mike, 35, said: "Pam was very calm despite being unable to help Anthony. She had to wait at the door of the factory for the fire brigade and ambulance to turn up.

"They smashed their way in and got him out. He just kept shouting and crying: 'Get me out.'

"Anthony had landed on his head and had bad facial injuries. Everyone feared the worst."

Anthony, a rugby player for Leigh Rangers, was then taken to hospital.

Mr Doyle added: "He is a bubbly lad. Everyone knows him round here for his involvement with the local rugby team.

"He was with a gang of about 15 lads when he climbed onto the roof and fell through the skylight. To see him in hospital covered in blood makes you fear the worst, but he was extremely lucky."

Brenda Gillespie, Managing Director of Lowton Glass, which employs 24 people, said: "All the factories around here have problems with youngsters trespassing and it is a wonder nobody has been killed. This incident has cost us about £1,000 to repair the roof and because of the circumstances we cannot claim it on our insurance."

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