THE mother of a 12-year-old boy last night praised surgeons at Bradford Royal Infirmary who saved his life after he is critically injured when he fell off his BMX bike.

Josh Harrison banged his stomach on the handlebars in the seemingly innocuous accident while he played with his eight-year-old brother Jack, outside their house in Glenholme, Shipley.

But after he started being sick shortly afterwards, his parents took him to accident and emergency on the advice of the NHS 111 service, and the followings day he was having life-saving surgery when it emerged he had suffered critical internal injuries.

Josh's mum Lisa, 36, said: "He fell off his bike and the handlebars hit him in the stomach. It just banged him, but he perforated something inside.

"He went to A&E but deteriorated really fast, so they had to do an operation.

"It was life-threatening. If they had not operated on him at Bradford, then he would not have been with us today. They saved his life."

Following his operation, Josh was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary's intensive care unit for further treatment.

Mrs Harrison said: "It was such a freak accident - a handlebar injury resulting in intensive care.

"He was just playing out, just outside the house with his younger brother. It was an unlucky fall - it could happen to anybody."

Josh's recovery was boosted by some stars at Bradford City, where he is a season ticket holder alongside dad Lee, 39, and Jack.

Club captain Stephen Darby - Josh's favourite player - striker James Hanson and defender Rory McArdle visited him in hospital, while manager Phil Parkinson and his assistant Steve Parkin recorded video messages.

On the visit of City's players, Mrs Harrison said: "When they heard his story, they wanted to come and see him.

"A mutual friend contacted City because he knew Josh supported them. He is football-mad and also plays for Thackley Juniors.

"Phil Parkinson did a video message to him, and so did James Hanson, Rory McArdle and Stephen Darby, and the assistant manager Steve Parkin.

"They wanted to know Josh's progress and how he was getting on. They said they wanted to visit him and it made his day.

"City have been fantastic about it, they have been amazing. I want to express such thanks to the club."

James Mason, chief operating officer of Bradford City, said: "The club has always responded where possible to fan requests, whether it be from kids going through tough times, or happier occasions like people wanting to get married.

"Where possible, whenever possible, the club will try to help supporters with their requests.

"We are a family club and we are very proud of our links with the community. We understand what it means to be a Bradford City fan.

"It was the least we could do. We are very proud of our players and management staff.

"We hope incidents like this will help fans understand that our players are individuals as well that give a lot of their spare time to help good causes throughout the city."

Josh, who has a scar from the surgery as a reminder of his experience, is now going through a phased return to school at Immanuel College, Thackley.

"Now that he is home I am relieved, as any parent would be," said Mrs Harrison.

"It was a really scary and horrific time. I'm just glad he came through."