Police investigate as schoolboy suffers horrific injuries after being scalded

A seven-year-old boy sustained horrific burns to his face and head when he was scalded by boiling water.

Owen Atkin was left in agony and screamed ‘please don’t let me die’ after being rushed to hospital following the incident on Saturday night in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

Doctors fear the poor youngster, who was in somebody else’s care when he was scalded, could be scarred for life.   

Owen is recovering at Sheffield Children’s Hospital and a fundraising appeal has been launched to help him and his family.

Owen’s father Paul Atkin, said his son had been ‘astoundingly brave’ adding: ‘I rushed to hospital when I heard what had happened, and I found Owen in absolutely excruciating pain.

‘His eyes were closed and he was shouting ‘please don’t let me die’.

Owen suffered horrific burns to his face and head in the incident and a fundraising appeal has now been set up to help him and his family

Owen, pictured before and after suffering his injuries, was in somebody else’s care when he was scalded in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

The 36-year-old Sheffield parks maintenance worker said police and social services are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Mr Atkinson, who lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire with Owen, his elder brother Lewis, aged 10, and their stepmother Kirsty Vasey, added: ‘It’s the worst possible feeling as a father to be sat there helpless, knowing there’s nothing you can do to take away the pain.

‘He’s normally fun, spirited and full of beans, but this has left him so upset and shocked, and in such great distress.’

Mr Atkin went on to say, Owen, who is a Sheffield Wednesday fan, had been ‘up and down’ during his time in hospital, where he is expected to remain untill next week.

The poor youngster is recovering at the burns unit at Sheffield Children’s Hospital

Happier times: Owen eats an ice-cream on a trip to the seaside before suffering the injury

Happier times: Owen eats an ice-cream on a trip to the seaside before suffering the injury

Police and social services are investigating how Owen suffered his injuries

Police and social services are investigating how Owen suffered his injuries

‘One minute he’ll be walking around and dancing and the next the pain will really hit him and he’ll be throwing up,’ he said.

Plane-mad Owen, has received special messages to cheer him up from the Belgian Air Force F-16 solo display pilot Stephan ‘Vador’ Darte and the RAF Typhoon Display Team.

Sarah Roper has launched a fundraising appeal online with a £500 target.

The cash is set to cover the family’s costs and pay for a holiday to reward Owen for his bravery and help him recover.

Mr Atkin said it would ‘mean the world’ to Owen if he and the family could get away for a few days to help them relax and come to terms with what happened.

‘Owen’s been astoundingly brave. I don’t think I would be coping so well if it was me. He deserves a treat after everything he’s been through,’ he said.

‘Just one night away at the seaside would mean the world to us.’

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: ‘An investigation is currently ongoing into reports a seven-year-old boy had suffered serious burns following an incident at a property on Southey Green Road, Sheffield, on Sunday, May 27.’

You can donate at www.gofundme.com/support-for-hospital-costs. 

 



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