Boy lucky to live after shock from lamp post

A YOUNG boy was lucky to be alive last night after he touched a live wire in a vandalised street lamp. Ricky James Williams, aged four, was sent flying by the electric shock and burnt his fingers.
He was treated at Bolton Royal Infirmary, given a heart check then moved to Booth Hall Hospital where he spent the night.
His mother, Selda, of Beechcroft Grove, Breightmet, said he was lucky to be alive: "Ricky fell on to an exposed box with wires hanging down.
"We were told that he must have grabbed a second wire which neutralised the shock, otherwise he would have been dead. The shock found an exit out of his body through his wrist, where he now has a blister.
"He has what looks like a hole on one finger, and the rest are covered in blisters. He is a very lucky little lad.
"From what I can gather the wires have been hanging out of the lamp post for a week. It is so dangerous. The estate is full of kids and this sort of vandalism happens time and time again. The vandals pull the metal plate off the post leaving the live wires exposed."
The incident happened at 8.30pm on Lenham Gardens, Breightmet.
The post was in the process of being replaced by Bolton Council because of repeated vandalism and officials are waiting for Norweb to disconnect it.
Mr Jeff Layer, the council's head of public works, said: "All I can now do is stress the importance of not getting close to electrical installations. As it was proven last night, they can be extremely dangerous."
A year ago, Alex Barnes, aged 5, was knocked back five feet into a garden fence when a loose wire caught on his coat in Hall i'th' Wood. And a dog was killed when it cocked a leg at a broken lamp post.