Roof fall teenager 'almost out of the woods'

Kieron Simpson (14), of Sycamore Avenue, was rushed to Manchester Children's Hospital on Saturday night after falling 35ft from the former Habergham Sixth Form building in Kiddrow Lane at around 9-45pm.

The Shuttleworth College pupil was put into an induced coma after suffering a fractured skull, five broken vertebrae, a damaged lung, fractured ribs and swelling to the brain.

Doctors told the family there was a chance he might not make it but are now confident he will make a fully recovery.

"He's getting better, he's stable now," said Kieron's brother, Allan Mason. "We are just waiting for him to wake up. He's almost out of the woods. Everything is starting to repair itself.

"He was awake when he was taken in but they put him in an induced coma to help with his recovery. He's been taken out of that now and now we just have to wait.

"They are confident he will make a full recovery. They have done a brain scan and there is no brain damage or anything like that which is obviously good."

Parents Dave Simpson and Julie Massie have not left his bedside since Saturday while sisters Chantele, Cherie and Paula have also been frequent visitors.

"Now we have had some positive news everybody is doing much better," said Allan. "We were told at first he might not make it and that was hard to hear. We were devastated, heart-broken but things are looking a lot better now."

Shuttleworth headteacher Ruth England said yesterday the entire school was thinking about Kieron and pupils have been visiting the hospital to wish him a speedy recovery.

Allan said: "They've been bringing him cards and they also brought him an England shirt with his name on which was really nice. Kieron is in the school football team and he loves playing sports. He loves his computer games as well. He a really outgoing young lad, he's got a lot of friends.

"We know it's going to be a long road but we can't wait for him to get better."

Police believe the incident was nothing more than a tragic accident. They are asking anybody who saw what happened to contact them on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.