A schoolboy who badly broke his leg after tumbling 60ft at a Whinney Hill quarry is ‘lucky’ to be alive, according to rescuers.

The 14-year-old slipped at the top of the quarry, in Altham, on Saturday evening at about 5.30pm. He became stuck on a ledge and his leg was then trapped by a falling boulder, breaking his tibia and fibula.

The accident came just days after police were warned about groups of youngsters congregating on a narrow public footpath separating the quarry on one side from the M65 embankment.

The quarry has been cordoned off, but the security fencing has been damaged in places.

North West Ambulance Service crews were first on the scene and treated the boy, before he was winched to the top of the quarry by mountain rescue crews and taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital by air ambulance.

The teenager, who was out with a friend, could easily have suffered head or spinal injuries, it was said.

Graham Dalley, chairman of Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue team said: “He had fallen about half way down this quarry. We put anchors at the top and hoiked him up on a pulley system.

“It could have been a lot worse. He must have fallen 50-60 feet - although it wasn’t a sheer drop and the lads that went down to treat him managed to scramble down.

“He ended up on a ledge a lot further up, but he could have fallen a lot further to his death. He was still conscious and was thanking everybody profusely. He was very lively, considering the painkillers they had given him.”

One eyewitness said: “I saw the air ambulance approach the top of the quarry and saw a couple of hi-vis jackets on the side of the quarry. I realised that somebody must have fallen down there.”

He added: “All the way along fencing has been pushed down but, to be honest, to fall down there you would probably have to be on the wrong side.”

Altham parish council chairman Rennie Pinder said there had been worrying reports in recent weeks of fences being pulled down in the area by groups of congregating youngsters.

He said: “I was so concerned that I had a conversation with the chief inspector and said that it ought to be a priority.”

Altham Community Beat Manager PC Dave Render said: “We are aware of the problems in the area and we are working with the council to address any issues. This should act as a warning to children who are playing in the area. We would appeal to anyone with concerns to contact the police.”