A NIGHT out with friends nearly ended in tragedy for teenager Dwayne Williams when he plunged 20ft from a culvert bridge into a stream.

The 19-year-old narrowly missed rocks as he fell into the water, suffering a suspected spinal injury.

Rescuers had to scramble down a steep embankment to reach him, although he managed to crawl out of the water himself and wait for help.

Ambulance crews were the first on the scene after the lad's friends raised the alarm shortly after 10pm on Tuesday. It is believed Dwayne had been standing on the bridge wall in Woodhill Road, Brandlesholme, when he slipped and fell into the culvert.

Firefighters from Bury were called in to help with the rescue operation.

Sub officer Bill Biles said: "Mr Williams was being treated by paramedics when we arrived and was sitting with only his feet in water. Fortunately, there has been very little rain this week so the stream was quite low.

"It is fortunate that Mr Williams didn't fall onto rocks and his injuries could have been a lot worse. This could have been a very tragic incident.

Mr Williams, from Bolton, was lifted to safety on a spinal board when fire crews used their hydraulic ladder platform to reach down into the culvert and scoop him clear.

He was then taken to Fairfield General Hospital for treatment to cuts, bruising and minor back injuries.