The Shocked grandmother of a North Yorkshire student told today how he broke his skull in a 35ft fall - and told his rescuers he had been pushed.

Andrew Hardisty, 19, a Newcastle University student from Aldwark, near Easingwold, fell from the first level of the Gateshead Interchange Centre.

His grandmother Joan Hardisty today told of her disbelief at the accident and said: "As he was slipping in and out of consciousness, Andrew said that he had been pushed.

"He must have cushioned his fall by putting out his wrists, which are now broken."

Andrew's parents are at his bedside in Newcastle General Infirmary where last night he underwent an operation on his fractured jaw.

He suffered a fractured skull, a broken right leg, two broken wrists and had several teeth knocked out in Monday night's fall.

Police say that Andrew, who went to Easingwold School, was found lying near the Iceland shop at the foot of the centre. Officers today confirmed it was then that Andrew said he had been pushed.

He had been enjoying a night out with a large group of friends at the Tuxedo Royale nightclub, which is on a boat, and then moved on to the Gateshead centre.

His grandmother said that Andrew had told friends he was going to the toilet, and when he didn't return, they thought he had gone home.

She said: "He hadn't had a lot to drink, we don't really know what has happened.

"It's going to take him a long time to get over this. He's in a bad way."

Acting Det Insp Ian Shaw, from the Gateshead East Police Station, said they had made extensive inquiries about the movements of Andrew and what may or may not have happened.

They were aware of his claim to have been pushed and were hoping to interview him further as his condition improved.

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