THE headteacher of a twin crushed by a quarter-tonne steel gate last night said everyone at the school was praying for his recovery.

Christopher Jefferson was last night still fighting for his life after suffering a fractured skull and broken wrist in the accident on Sunday afternoon.

The nine-year-old was injured in the freak accident when the gate fell on him while he was playing near his home.

His brother Joshua could only watch on as the air ambulance lifted his younger twin from outside their Lambton Terrace home, in Stanley, County Durham, to Newcastle’s General Hospital.

Steven Moore, head of Greenland School, where both brothers had been due to attend for the first time since Easter today, has said their bond is obvious.

“It’s difficult for everybody, but goodness knows what it is like for his family and Joshua – the two clearly have a special bond,” he said.

“At school you can see how they are always very concerned for each others’ welfare. There were no children here yesterday, but the staff were all shocked when we found out. We’re all extremely concerned for Chris’s well being.

“He’s a lovely little boy. He and Joshua are both popular members of the school community and well-liked by staff.

“One or two of the pupils knew already, with the air ambulance arriving. It’s difficult for a close community like this not to find out what’s happened very quickly.

“But we do face the prospect of having to explain to the others today. I’m sure they’ll be very upset and shocked and worried about Chris.”