A youngster who suffered a 25,000 volt shock while playing near a railway line spoke today of his brush with death.

And he said: "I don't ever want to go near a railway again and I don't think I could even go on a train."

Patrick Smith, pictured, suffered extensive burns to his arms from the massive electric shock as he stood on a plastic milk crate by overhead power cables near Shipley railway station.

His shoes melted to the crate and his arms were burned in the blast - leaving him needing extensive plastic surgery.

Police investigating the incident said they were amazed the 12-year-old was not killed. They believe the plastic crate prevented much of the electricity discharging to earth, saving his life.

Today Patrick's mother, who had herself only left hospital the day before her son's accident, said she too could not believe he had survived.

Dawn-Marie Smith, of West Royd Avenue, Shipley, said: "I was in hospital with a suspected stroke and the day after I came out I had police at the door saying Patrick had been in an accident. I couldn't believe it. I was in bed myself and had to be helped into the police car.

"I was told Patrick had suffered 18 per cent burns and they kept saying he was lucky to be alive. That plastic milk crate saved his life."

She said she burst into tears when she saw her son at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

His arms were badly burned and his hair was breaking off where it had been singed and was covered in soot.

"His arms were in a bad way - there were no bandages on him at that stage. It was horrible."

Mrs Smith said she wanted other children to take heed of Patrick's near-death experience.

"I would just warn all parents to keep their children away from playing near tracks. He is just so lucky to be alive. I am torn between punishing him but I don't know the facts. His friends have said he wasn't doing anything wrong and I think he has suffered enough."

Patrick's sister Samantha, 25, stayed with him at the hospital.

"We have had a very traumatic time, it's been terrible," said Mrs Smith.

Salt Grammar School pupil Patrick, a talented junior footballer, said he was in a lot of pain and couldn't remember what had happened.

"I went to meet some friends and we went out chasing rats.

"I don't know how I got hurt but I remember being thrown back. I have a lump on my head and I still have shocks going through me."

He said he would miss playing for Prospect Juniors at Thackley. "I used to train on Saturdays and have matches on Sundays but I have been told I won't be able to play all season."

Friends have been ringing up and visiting him to find out how he is.

Kevin Paynes, deputy head teacher at Salt Grammar School, said Patrick had just had an assembly warning of the dangers of playing near railways.

"Year Seven pupils have all done that programme and Year Nine had that assembly yesterday. This was not as a result of Patrick's accident but had been planned weeks ago.

"We are near a canal and railway and it is an on-going programme to warn our pupils of the dangers.

"Patrick is a lively cheerful boy and we wish him a speedy recovery," he added.

Ivan Foo, consultant plastic surgeon at Bradford Royal Infirmary, said the accident could have been a lot worse.

"Potentially the incident could have been much more serious if the current had passed through the body and reached the ground. However, when there is a form of insulation, in this case the plastic milk crate, then the person gets a severe but not life-threatening shock."

He said that patients who suffered 25,000 volt shocks could also suffer severe burning of muscles, nerves and skin and organs could be extensively damaged. Eventually plastic surgery would be required but skin would have to recover first, he added.

PC Brian Heaton, of British Transport Police, said: "We would warn young people to stay away from tracks and overhead lines."