A SCHOOLBOY who suffered a blood clot on his brain after falling out a tree almost died because he kept on playing with friends instead of going to hospital.
Joe McFarlane, 11, was enjoying a game of hide and seek with his friends when he plunged head first on to concrete slabs.
But the youngster stayed out and his parents only realised there was something seriously wrong when he started being violentl
y sick.
Joe was rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery on a blood clot that would have killed him.
The drama unfolded a fortnight ago when the primary seven pupil was playing hide and seek near his home in Prestonpans, East Lothian.
The youngster found a conifer tree to hide in and decided to climb up through its branches but his foot slipped.
But he was keen to keep on playing and rejoined his friends after a quick visit home.
It wasn't until he was sick that his parents Paul and Margaret realised his injuries were more serious than they had first thought.
Mr McFarlane, 34, said: "He went out for a wee while and then started vomiting.
"We drove him up to hospital where he immediately underwent brain surgery to remove a blood clot.
"Luckily there was no damage to his brain as the clot was on the sac at the side of it.
"The surgeon said that we got him there just in time, or he could have died."
After spending five nights in hospital, Joe was eventually allowed home last Friday and doctors expect him to now make a full recovery.
Last night Dr Gregor Campbell-Hewson – a consultant in emergency medicine at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary – said all head injuries should be checked out immediately.
He said: "If a child injures their head the most important thing to watch out for is loss of consciousness – that's the most important dividing line between what could be a serious injury and something that may well just be a bump on the head.
"If a child has lost consciousness at all they should see a doctor, if they are unresponsive you should call an ambulance straight away.
"Vomiting after a bang on the head is quite common, but if this persists, or if there are any other symptoms that are a cause for concern such as severe headaches, we would recommend calling the NHS 24 helpline on 08454 242424 for advice."
The full article contains 412 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
