A baby boy from Purley whose life support machine was switched off following a 40ft fall has defied the medical odds to make a full recovery.

At 11 months old Anwar Nyanzij was given just a one per cent chance of survival after falling from a fourth floor flat in Croydon last July, having climbed out of a window.

Anwar suffered severe brain, spinal and neck injuries and multiple broken bones, leaving doctors fearing for his life.

Medics held out hope that by switching off Anwar’s life-support his body would be shocked into breathing independently and, to their surprise, he began breathing unaided soon after.

Anwar, now two-years-old, is back home having made a full recovery, despite fears his injuries would leave him severely disabled.

His mother Hawa Rutansingwa, 32, said: "To be told that your son is going to die is the worst thing a mother should go through.

"I went to kiss my son goodbye. I couldn't bear to see him with the wires going into his body.

"It was a horrible experience and I can't explain how felt.

"I was told to prepare for the worst, but now here he is, playing with his toys at home and singing like any other child. It's a miracle.”

Anwar fell after climbing through an open window whilst his aunt, Fauzia Rutansingwa, was in the bathroom.

Clambering onto a chair and hoisting himself onto the window ledge, he then fell around 40ft.

Fauzia only realised where Anwar had vanished to upon peering out the window, when see saw him lying motionless on the pavement below.

Anwar was rushed to theatre at St George's Hospital just hours later.

After four days of operations and ICU care, doctors took the drastic decision to switch off Anwar's life support.

He spent a total of two months in hospital, going through weeks of rehab and physiotherapy.

Hawa, who has a second son, Abdulnoor Lule, 4, and a daughter, Nailah Bukirwa, 5, was finally able to take her son home in September 2017.

The family threw a huge party to celebrate Anwar's second birthday in August, 13 months after he almost lost his life.

Hawa said: "I was so relieved and thought it was a miracle.

"I never gave up hope. I knew my son was a fighter."

A St George's Hospital spokesperson said: "The whole team are delighted to hear that Anwar is doing so well.

"Our specialist teams go above and beyond every day, and when we hear about positive outcomes such as this, it makes it all worthwhile."