THE mother of a teenage boy who broke his back while trespassing in a dangerous derelict building is urging parents to know where their children are at all times.

The 15-year-old from Marshalls Cross fell at least 20 feet from a sky light on to the concrete floor of a disused former industrial building on the Ravenhead Works site.

He was one of more than 40 young people - some of whom were drinking alcohol and taking drugs - who arranged by social media to gather at the site, known as 'the factories', on Friday, July 8.

His mum Kelly McCormick, an A&E nurse, says it was a complete shock when she received a call at around 10.40pm in the evening telling her about the fall.

Police officers, paramedics and firefighters responded to a call for help from one of the group and spent hours searching the site to make sure no one else had been harmed.

The boy - a Sutton Academy student - was taken to Alder Hey Hospital where has was found to have fractured his back.

Kelly said: "We are extremely lucky and he is doing alright now. He fractured his back and has two broken fingers. If he'd have had a spinal injury he would have been paralysed.

"He is back home but has to wear a back brace during the summer holidays.

"I've been through all the emotions - shock, anger, upset and relief. Now I just want to make sure nothing like this happens to anyone else. People should stay away."

Neighbourhood sergeant Neil Birkett said: "To fall 20 feet and land on your back is extremely serious and it goes to show what a dangerous place the Ravenhead Works is for anyone to be, let alone children.

"The site is secured by a fence but we believe a large group of young people either found a gap or forced entry and spent Friday night there drinking alcohol and possibly taking drugs.

"This young man has somehow fallen through one of the man holes in the roof of the main building and been helped to the edge of site before being left behind as the group panicked and scattered."

He added: "I would not want my child hanging around somewhere so dangerous in the first place, let alone when you add alcohol and drugs into the mix."

He added: "Over time the dangers associated with this site have dropped from the forefront of people's minds.

"Around 60 or 70 years ago they made glass here - there are huge cavities underground where big bottles were stored. There are massive dangers lurking inside and all around the building.

"And at night it's pitch black. Anyone who has been drinking or taking drugs could be in a very vulnerable position. No-one would hear you scream."

Police have met with the owners of the Ravenhead Works to discuss reinforcing the perimeter fence and other security measures.