A YOUNG boy who lay in a coma for several days after suffering a playground head injury last night spoke of his road to recovery.
Kieran Snee, 11, suffered a blood clot after he hit his head on the frame of a swing in Darlington.
For several days, his family did not know if he would live, but since he came off the critical list, his recovery has astounded doctors.
Speaking from his hospital bed, surrounded by cards and balloons from school friends and wellwishers, Kieran said: “I cannot remember what happened after the park at all. I can remember being on the swing, then waking up in hospital.
“I felt really drowsy, I wanted to go to sleep. When I did shut my eyes, I didn’t wake up for a week – so I must have been tired.”
Kieran’s parents have been joined by other family members to sit by his side in The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.
Kieran’s aunt, Kirsty Bateman, took him to Darlington Memorial Hospital on April 29 when he began to complain of headaches and sickness only two hours after he returned from the Denes play park.
Mrs Bateman said: “We were really worried. We did not know what was going to happen.
“He seemed absolutely fine when he came back to my house. My son, Jay, said they were back early because Kieran had hurt his head on a swing, but he was laughing and joking like he always is.”
The family were unaware that Keiran was suffering from bleeding on the brain after he hit his head on the metal support of a swing – an incident that has prompted a police investigation.
Mrs Bateman said: “I kept a close eye on him, then he just started being sick and complained that he was tired.
“We got him straight to the hospital, where he was rushed to the intensive care unit. We were so worried.
“They had to shave his head for the operation to remove the clot, which was half the size of his brain. He has had 77 staples and four stitches – he could have died.”
Despite waking from his coma less than a week ago, and being unable to feel the left side of his body for two days, Kieran is in remarkably good spirits.
He has managed to walk the length of his hospital room with help from his family, and will begin a comprehensive physiotherapy programme as soon as he is able to.
Kieran, who has covered his hospital room with photos of friends and family, said: “It has been really scary and I am upset that I cannot walk, but I am just looking forward to getting better.
“I am really upset about what has happened to me, but I just want to go home now and play with my dogs, Scratch and Chloe.
“I just hope my hair grows back and that I don’t end up bald like my uncle Duane.
“It can be boring in hospital, I just want to get out and see my friends.”
Two girls, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested and bailed until next month on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and public order offences.
Detective Sergeant Jim Cunningham, who is investigating the case, said the quick actions of Kieran’s family saved his life.
He said: “If anybody suffers a head injury, they need to be taken to accident and emergency straight away.
“Even if somebody seems fine. With a head injury, they can deteriorate very quickly.
“Luckily, Keiran’s family spotted the signs and got him to hospital, otherwise this could have been a lot worse.”
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