Chris was moved from intensive care, where he was being kept under sedation, for emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain yesterday morning. His parents Steven and Josie have remained at his bedside throughout.

Before the Great North Air Ambulance arrived Chris is said to have found the strength to muster a thumbs-up.

It is understood the youngster had been playing with friends close to the gate when he became trapped.

Durham Constabulary have confirmed their involvement following the accident has remained peripheral.

Josh and little sister Emma, one, were being cared for at home by their grandmother Audrey Jefferson, 61.

Passing on the best wishes from the staff and pupils at Chris’ school, Mr Moore said: “Above all we have to remember this is a time for thinking of Chris and his family. The thoughts of all the staff and pupils are with them all. One of the main things we will have to do this morning is look to reassure the children a little bit. We need to explain Chris is in the best place for him and he’s being looked after.

“Luckily we’ve never had to deal with anything like this at this school before. But we know the only way to deal with it is bring the staff together and agree on a common approach, in terms of how to deal with breaking the news.”

Sarah Booth, of the Great North Air Ambulance, said: “We were called to an address in Stanley at around 4.40pm, on Sunday, where a nine-year-old boy had suffered serious head injuries after a quarter-tonne steel gate had fallen in him and landed on his head.”