A six-year-old boy is fighting for his life after a lawn mower threw a 12-inch piece of steel at his head while he was playing in a school field.
Alex Hook is in a medically-induced coma after suffering severe brain damage since the incident on September 10 just behind Riverview Elementary in Silver Lake, Wisconsin.
His mother Caryn, 49, said: ‘When I arrived at the hospital the emergency room team were prepping him for the scan.
‘He was already sedated and had several machines hooked up.
‘I kept telling myself that I must be having a nightmare because that can’t be my beautiful boy.
Alex Hook is in a medically-induced coma after suffering severe brain damage since the incident on September 10 just behind Riverview Elementary in Silver Lake, Wisconsin
‘It feels like the hands of Father Time have stopped.
‘Every day that goes by we thank the Lord that Alex is still with us and fighting for his life.’
At about 11.30am, the mower ran over a waste piece of rebar and it was projected out through a chain link fence that surrounded the school grounds and towards the kids.
The metal projectile, believed to be 12 inches long and half an inch wide, struck first-grader Alex, who was bending down at the time, in the back of his head.
He was knocked unconscious and started to have seizures.
The school contacted Ms Hook and the emergency services to inform them of the freak accident.
At about 11.30am, the mower ran over a waste piece of rebar and it was projected out through a chain link fence that surrounded the school grounds and towards the kids
The mother-of-two said: ‘I was in total shock but composed myself immediately and rushed to the school.
‘I had no idea the severity of his injury until I saw him on the ground bleeding from his head and convulsing. I really don’t know what prevented me from fainting.’
The boy was airlifted to the Children’s Hospital of Milwaukee while paramedics tried to stabilise him.
When he arrived, he was taken for a CT scan where he was found to have a fractured skull, and that a piece had broken off and lodged into his brain causing a bleed.
He was taken for emergency surgery to remove the largest fragment, as well as removing some healthy skull to relieve some pressure.
The metal projectile, believed to be 12 inches long and half an inch wide, struck first-grader Alex, who was bending down at the time, in the back of his head
The little boy remains in a medically induced coma as a bacterial infection causes a spike in his fever and puts dangerous pressure on his brain whenever he is weaned off.
Ms Hook, who works for a pharmaceutical company, said: ‘The doctors said the first 72 hours were critical, but here we are a week later and he’s still in critical condition.
‘While sitting vigil at his bedside, when possible, I read aloud the thousands of comments and prayers people are writing on the Facebook support page.
‘I hope he can hear me, so he knows how many people love him and are praying for a complete recovery.
The little boy remains in a medically induced coma as a bacterial infection causes a spike in his fever and puts dangerous pressure on his brain whenever he is weaned off
His aunt Michelle has since set up a GoFundMe to help cover Alex’s medical costs
‘Don’t let a day go by without hugging and telling your children you love them – life can change in the blink of an eye.’
His aunt Michelle has since set up a GoFundMe to help cover Alex’s medical costs.
Sales director Michelle said: ‘The family is trying to stay positive despite the constant medical setbacks.
‘We are literally on an emotional rollercoaster.
‘It is heart-breaking to see this beautiful boy non-responsive and hooked up to so many machines.
‘The outpouring of love, prayers, positive thoughts and donations have been incredible and greatly appreciated.’