A 12-year-old boy plunged 40 feet through the skylight of a factory roof onto a concrete floor during a game.

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

He had been playing the game on the roof of Lowton Glass on Firs Lane Industrial Estate, with a young friend at about 8pm.

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

Firemen, police and ambulance crews attended the scene and Anthony was rushed to Wigan Royal Infirmary, where his arm was operated on last night.

This morning his condition was described as "comfortable".

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, aged 39, raced to the next door 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 pupil at Bedford High School and a rugby player for Leigh Rangers, was then taken to Wigan Royal Infirmary.

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."

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