A YOUNG Harry Potter fan who was almost killed saving his best friend's life has been left with a scar just like his Hogwarts hero.

Shay Corrie, nine, was left in a coma after he threw himself in front of five-year-old Jack Briggs and took the full impact of a seven tonne lorry.

But he fought back from the brink of death and is now back home, proudly showing his pals a crooked scar on his forehead - exactly like the young wizard's.

Shay and Jack both ended up fighting for their lives after they were struck by the lorry as they walked home from collecting conkers near their homes in Houghton-Le-Spring, Wearside, in August.

Bespectacled Shay spotted the recovery wagon at the last minute and tried to shield Jack from the impact.

He put his arm around his small friend and tried to push him out of the vehicle's path. He took the brunt of the impact, was thrown in the air and suffered serious head injuries.

His mother, Judith, 39, who kept a five-day vigil at his bedside: "Shay had suffered a massive brain haemorrhage.

"Several other cuts to his head were stitched and he was swathed in bandages."

Once his stitches removed, it was revealed Shay had been left with a zig-zag scar on his forehead, just like Harry Potter.

The young hero has now been short-listed for a national magazine's Children of Courage award and has recently returned to school.

Mrs Corrie said: "He still needs his wheelchair for long distances, still has regular neurological check-ups and is going to suffer migraines for the rest of his life, but, so far, fingers crossed, he seems to be on the mend.

"Now he has a scar like Harry's, he is as proud as can be and shows it to everyone."

Jack has also made a full recovery from the accident and described Shay as his hero.

But Shay said: "I just wanted to stop the truck and the only thing I could think of was to hold out my hand and grab hold of Jack. I'm not a hero."

Mrs Corrie and her husband, Steve, 45, said it was typical of their son.

Jack's mother, Jeanette, 32, a housewife, and stepfather Andrew Eddon, 32, a builder, spoke of their gratitude.

Mr Eddon said: "It was extremely brave of him. They had known each other for only two weeks and Shay loves our Jack. They are inseparable."

In JK Rowling's story, Harry Potter is scarred when the evil Lord Voldermort tries to kill him as a baby.