Knockout mark

PARAMEDICS treated a 12-year-old boy on Thursday 20 May, after he was knocked unconscious during football training in Berwick.
Advanced life support paramedics were called to the scene about 2.30pm.
Paramedic Renee Mack said they were told the boy had gone to mark the ball when another child jumped onto his back and he fell to the ground.
“It’s believed the boy was knocked out and unconscious for about ten seconds,’ Ms Mack said.
“The boy told us he had severe neck and back stiffness and pain, and he had some tingling in one leg and finger.”
Paramedics gave the boy an inhaler containing pain relief medication to make him more comfort-able.
“With the potential for spinal injury in such an accident, we then fitted the boy with a neck brace and used towels and tape to keep him as still as possible on the stretcher,” she said.
“A heart monitor was then attached to his chest and he was given an oxygen mask to help his breathing.
“Following an accident like this, it’s best to leave the patient as they landed.
“If someone has suffered a spinal injury, keeping them as still as possible prevents any further damage being done.”
The boy was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital for further treatment.