The mum of a young boy has described the horrifying moment her son fell 12 feet onto his head while on a day trip at Edinburgh Zoo.
Harry Eades, 12, from Lancashire, was on holiday in Scotland with his family on Tuesday April, 11, when he fell in the play area at the zoo and lost consciousness.
His terrified mum, Tracey, described the incident as the “scariest thing she has ever seen” but praised the staff from the Scottish Ambulance Service for arriving so quickly and keeping her calm. Paramedic Lyndsey Robertson, Technician Tony Alexander, and Advanced Paramedic Joel Symonds arrived within six minutes of the call being taken.
Tracey explained: “Being a typical adventurous boy, Harry was climbing on the play area and getting high up – it was about 12 feet. We have never had to call an ambulance before, so it was a scary time, but all involved remained calm and professional.
“He lost his footing and fell to the ground, hitting his head on the way down and passing out. Watching this incident and the sight of Harry falling from so high up was the most terrifying thing I have witnessed.
“I immediately went over to him and he was dazed and confused, complaining of pain in his arm and head. Instinctively, I knew I had to call 999 and the call handler took the information, kept me calm, gave me advice and stayed on the call until paramedics arrived.”
She said the crew helped 'make the traumatic incident less scary' as they cared for her son.
Tracey added: “They were so professional, caring and personable with him throughout, talking about all sorts while carrying out their checks. They made a very traumatic incident less scary. They kept Harry calm while receiving treatment in the ambulance.”
Harry was transported in the ambulance to New Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he received x-rays and was monitored before being discharged later on that day.
The family were able to finish off their visit to the zoo the next day, but Tracey says they had to take it “a little slower” as Harry was still suffering a little.
She added: “There was definitely no climbing this time. Harry is recovering well and we hope the incident does not scare him from continuing to do his tricks and flips and being adventurous. He talks about the paramedics that helped him that day and says how ‘cool’ they were.
“I am so grateful for everything they did. I honestly cannot thank the crew enough for keeping him calm and being so personable with him.”
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