Disabled boy, 14, has his pelvis shattered in schoolyard assault so severe he required emergency surgery and may never fully recover
- A 14-year-old boy was rushed into emergency surgery in Perth on Wednesday
- He had suffered severe pelvis injuries following an alleged assault at school
- A boy, 15, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm common assault
- The victim suffers from a leg condition that already makes it difficult to walk
- Doctors are unsure whether the victim may ever fully recover from his injuries
A disabled teenager who had his pelvis shattered so severely in a schoolyard assault may never fully recover.
The teenager, whose parents did not want him identified, was rushed into emergency surgery at Perth Children’s Hospital on Wednesday after being knocked to the ground in an alleged assault by a fellow student.
Police have charged a 15-year-old boy with causing grievous bodily harm and common assault. He is due appear in Perth Children’s Court on June 25.
A 14-year-old boy (pictured) was rushed to Perth Children’s Hospital for emergency hospital on Wednesday after he was allegedly knocked to the ground by his 15-year-old classmate
The victim has peroneal muscular atrophy which causes poor muscle strength and means he appears to walk on his tiptoes.
He is now facing months of not being able to walk and doctors are unsure whether he will ever make a full recovery.
Police allege the bully placed the boy in a headlock before he was knocked to the ground.
The victim’s injuries were so severe doctors had already begun operating as his parents rushed to the hospital from their home north of Perth.
His mother said he had been bullied in the past over his appearance and described the call from the hospital as a ‘parent’s worst nightmare’.
‘I was completely heartbroken and terrified that I couldn’t be there with him. I think it is a parent’s worst nightmare,’ she told the West Australian.
‘He already has a hard enough time with his disability, and to have this on top of it is just heartbreaking. The injuries he has from this… we are not sure if he is going to even get back to the way he was before.’
The victim has peroneal muscular atrophy which causes him to have poor muscle strength and means he appears to walk on his tiptoes. Doctors are unsure whether he will ever fully recover
The victim’s mother said he is really embarrassed about what has allegedly happened to him.
She said he has been left mentally scarred and does not want to go back anywhere near where the incident took place.
She also voiced fears that the alleged attack has set her son back and it will take him a long time to get over it.
Education Department deputy director Stephen Baxter said all allegations of violence were treated very seriously and the school was assisting police with their investigation.
Mr Baxter said the department backs schools completely to take a tough stance on violence and suspend or move to exclude any student who physically assaults another student.
‘Violence is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Every child should feel safe and supported when they are at school,’ he said.