Update: York High pupil still in ICU
The grade 8 York High pupil who sustained a serious head injury in a pillow fight during a dormitory raid at the hostel last week, was taken back to theatre on Tuesday evening after initially being transferred to the children’s ward in Mediclinc George earlier the same day.
14-year-old Andrew Searle from Plettenberg Bay was struck on the head with a pillow containing a shoe. He was rushed to hospital last week Tuesday (29 February) after experiencing severe discomfort shortly after the incident that took place just after 22:00. Neuro surgeon Pieter Eksteen, who fortunately was on duty at the time, immediately operated to relieve the pressure on his brain.
After recovering well and being transferred to the children’s ward on Tuesday morning (5 February), a brain scan showed there was still some bleeding and Andrew was again taken in for surgery to insert two drainage tubes. His father, Sean, who rushed to his son’s side from his workplace in Johannesburg, says Andrew is in a stable condition in ICU.
“Today (Wednesday) he is a little bit sore and he is very frustrated. Being a 14-year-old, he just wants to get out of hospital. The doctors told us they expect to keep him in hospital for another week. Yesterday we were obviously a little stressed as we thought that the worst was over. But, the operation was worthwhile and now we just have to be patient and help him on his road to recovery.”
Searle said he understands that the Grade 10 boy who hit Andrew is also going through a lot. “At this stage we are leaving everything in the hands of the school.”
The boy in question faced an internal disciplinary hearing at school yesterday morning. York High principal, Mr Francois Moll said the school Governing Body found the boy to be remorseful, honest and very shaken by the event. “It is however a very serious offence and he has been suspended for five days with immediate effect. He will also have to attend a level one and two First Aid course and assist as member of the First Aid panel until the end of Grade 12. Added to this he will have to perform community service at the hostel as this was a hostel based incident.”
Moll said the governing body is concerned about the boy’s state of mind and has ruled that he receive counselling. “The other six learners involved in the raid will face a disciplinary hearing at the hostel tomorrow (today,7 February).”
Moll asked the community to keep the family in their prayers. “The ongoing support of the George community is proving extremely helpful.”
Source: George Herald