Toddler survives 30ft flat fall

A toddler escaped with just bruising after plunging 30ft from a third-floor flat window.

Emergency services hailed a "very fortunate little lad" today as it emerged the 20-month-old was discovered without serious injury by passers-by on the pavement below.

Police ruled out any suspicious activity leading to the accident at his family's flat in Charminster Road, Bournemouth.

Officers were called to the scene at 9.55am yesterday.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "The window was low down in the room and he fell the full 30 feet.

"He's a very fortunate little lad and has been taken to Poole Hospital. I have not had much reaction from officers but I can see why people would think it miraculous."

The boy's mother, from Libya, was at the boy's bedside in hospital.

It is understood she was not initially aware of what had happened to her son before police arrived.