John popped into the world at 28 weeks, weighing just 1 lb — so small he could be held in the palm of a cupped hand.

After defying the medics by surviving, tiny baby John again beat the odds after falling 30 feet from a window at home in Grampian Gardens at the age of 18 months — suffering only a scratch.

Then a car struck John in Finlow Terrace when he was aged four.

John’s mum Kary-Ann McGregor said his 16th birthday was a milestone few thought he’d see, and paid tribute to the medical staff who saved him.

“The medics thought he was a lost cause,” said Kary-Ann, at the family’s home in Ullapool Crescent, Gowrie Park.

“He was 1lb when he popped out, and you could actually see his internal organs because his skin was so thin. His ears hadn’t even formed.

“As the days went by his ears developed like a butterfly opening its wings.”

Kary-Ann lost triplets she was carrying through miscarriage before falling pregnant with John six days later.

She was advised to have a termination at 20 weeks after complications.

However, Kary-Ann continued the pregnancy, but agreed with medics at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee that if John arrived prior to 27 weeks they wouldn’t resuscitate him.

John was born after 28 weeks and baptised after five hours because medics didn’t expect him to survive.

He was still blue when he was baptised, and on a ventilator.

Kary-Ann was also seriously ill after giving birth, having developed complications.

John was allowed away from hospital on December 24 — the day he had been due to be born.

There was a setback when he developed a bowel condition and was taken back into hospital for surgery.

Although he recovered, more drama was just around the corner. At the age of 18 months John fell from the window of the family’s first floor flat.

Brother Ian, who is now 18, managed to open the window and John fell out, plummeting 30 feet to the ground — luckily landing in a puddle of mud.

“He only suffered a scrape on the bum,” said Kary-Ann.

“Ian came through and told me John was sitting outside. I looked out the window and he was sitting there in his nappy in a puddle of mud.”

It turned out a faulty safety catch was to blame for the accident (the housing association was later the subject of a safety investigation) but it wasn’t to be John’s last brush with death.

Aged four, John was hit by a car while crossing the road in Finlow Terrace.

He was taken to Ninewells Hospital, but again escaped with his life. As he got ready to celebrate his birthday today, John said he’s planning to thank those who saved him.

“I’m really looking forward to my birthday, as I know I’m lucky to be here,” he said.

Kary-Ann admits she’s feeling mixed emotions, and said it’s “a miracle” her son’s here to tell the tale.

John’s a keen golfer, and his gifts included clubs and waterproofs.

Golfing is a hobby that his mum’s more than happy about.

“He’s a very good golfer,” said Kary-Ann. “If he’s going to be the next Tiger Woods, I hope he’ll remember me when the money rolls in!”

Medical advances mean premature babies who would once have had no hope of life can survive. Now a baby born at 24 weeks has a 39% chance of surviving.