Boys fall through ceiling

The accident happened in Londonderry

Two boys have survived a fall of more than 20 feet through a ceiling on the site of a new millennium theatre complex in Londonderry.

It is thought the children, aged 11 and 12, had been playing on the roof when the accident happened on Thursday night.

They are said to be "ill but stable" in hospital.

Assistant divisional fire officer William Lynch said the boys could have been killed.

"I think the lesson to be learned here is that building sites are definitely no place for children to be playing," he said.

"We were very afraid when we came here that the children had fallen and either they had spinal injuries or they were impaled on iron bars which were sticking up there.

"It's definitely not a playground."