Background: Even hardened police cried at boys' appalling injuries

The attacks that shocked Britain: Full coverage

Sergeant Richard Vernon said he was left in tears by the terrible condition he found the boy in and said he has been told the youngster could have died if he had not been discovered as quickly as he was.

Speaking close to the scene of the violent attack, the 41-year-old officer said: "I can honestly say that in the 22 years I've been in the job it's the most distressing thing I've ever dealt with, without a shadow of a doubt."

The officer went on: "We get involved in hundreds and hundreds of searches and very, very rarely do you come across anything you don't expect.

"The lad himself was covered in blood. You couldn't see his face. He was drifting in and out of consciousness. I think automatic pilot kicks in to some degree.

"He was extremely distressed, as you might expect. It hit me a little later, if I'm honest.

"But at the time it was just automatic reaction to try and keep him awake and keep him warm."

He added: "He was seriously injured - really seriously injured. There was lots of blood. He didn't have much clothes on. It was April and it was extremely cold."

He said he did not know if the boy was still alive when he first found him.

Sgt Vernon said the emotion of the situation hit him as paramedics were treating the youngster after an air ambulance landed.

"At that time I just had 15 to 20 minutes on the bank and obviously it hit home somewhat," he said.

Asked if he was reduced to tears, he said: "Yes. It's fair to say I was. I don't mind admitting that. I've got children of my own and you don't expect to come across situations like that.

"And all that went through my mind, obviously, you think of your own children and how you'd react if it was yours."

Sgt Vernon, who heads the Edlington neighbourhood policing team, said it was "all hands to the pump" when the younger boy raised the alarm on April 4 and said his friend was seriously injured somewhere outside the village.

His team approached the ravine from fields to the north and he was alerted by a member of the public who was shouting and was clearly distressed on the opposite bank.

The officer said he and the man scrambled down to the stream from opposite sides.

The 11-year-old was face down in mud by the brook and he did not have many clothes on.

Sgt Vernon said the boy's head and face were covered in blood.

"The child didn't say anything," he said. "He was in and out of consciousness. Horrific injuries. Basically he was in no position to speak."

He said he and the man took off their coats to try to keep the freezing youngster warm and he also put his stab vest over the injured youngster.

The officer then called in the police helicopter and the air ambulance.

He estimated it was about 15 to 20 minutes after the alarm was raised that he found the boy.

"I understand there's some suggestion that if we'd been any longer in finding the child, then it would have been a whole different kettle of fish," Sgt Vernon said.

"Potentially, he might not be with us any more."

The sergeant said he tried to keep the boy awake by talking to him and pinching his ears.

But he only heard grunts from the youngster - he did not say anything. The officer handed over control to the paramedics after the air ambulance landed.

Sgt Vernon has kept in touch with the injured youngster and the other victim of the attack.

He said they are doing well and have now recovered from their physical injuries.

"I see them on a regular basis," he said. "I go up and see them and see how they're doing.

"I get on very well with the families and obviously it helps me a little bit as well, seeing them.

"I was eager to see them immediately after the incident.

"They were in hospital for some time. I wanted to see them at the first opportunity."

Asked how the 11-year-old is now, the officer said: "From what I can see, he seems fine."