Boy has broken neck for 10 years

Doctors told Liam his pain was "just a strain"

A 15-year-old boy has been living with a broken neck for up to 10 years - without even realising it.

Liam Careless, of Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, went to hospital only after a scuffle with a friend left him with a pain down one side of his body.

He said he was "lucky to be alive" when he was told the broken bone, pressing against his spinal column, could have killed him or left him paralysed.

"I had some pain... but it was never really bad," he said.

I don't blame the first doctors for not knowing my neck was broken Liam Careless

He was admitted to Tameside General Hospital and was immediately transferred to Pendlebury Children's Hospital for emergency surgery.

A section of bone was grafted from his pelvis to his neck to strengthen the joint.

Liam will now have to wear a brace support bolted to his skull for the next four months.

"I was lucky because there was a new doctor at my surgery and he was the one who said something was wrong and sent me to the hospital," he said.

"I don't blame the first doctors for not knowing my neck was broken. They were only doing their jobs and you can't get it right all the time."

His mother Karen, 38, said she had no idea what caused the injury.