A FATHER has called for ancient ruins to be made safer after his son “almost broke his neck” while trying to climb them.

Witney resident Adam Richman believes someone could die at the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall after 13-year-old Jack fell 20ft on September 13.

The youngster is in plaster after breaking a bone in his foot but Mr Richman said it could been far worse.

He said: “There’s one sign that says ‘climb at your own risk’ on an English Heritage noticeboard but it’s obscured by a hedge and it’s pathetic.

“I don’t think it’s safe at all and some teenager will die some day from falling off. A health and safety officer needs to look at it and put something in place so it’s less dangerous.”

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Wood Green School pupil Jack was playing with friends when he slipped during a challenge to climb to the 40ft peak of the 15th century ruins, next to St Kenelm’s Church.

A doctor walking with his family saw what had happened and came to his aid, calling an ambulance.

Jack’s friends called his parents, who drove to the scene immediately and saw him wearing a neck brace and using nitrous oxide to ease the pain.

Mr Richman, married to Christina and also dad to Etienne, 20, said: “We were both horrified, thinking he was paralysed.

“He could so easily have snapped his neck.

“Hopefully it’s scared him off doing anything stupid like that again because of what could have happened.”

English Heritage spokesman Phil Harper said: “We are aware of the incident. Our current signs make visitors aware of the danger of climbing on Minster Lovell Hall, but we are reviewing whether further measures are required.”

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