Schoolboy remains critical after 'game with other students went wrong'
A Sydney boy, in hospital fighting for life after an alleged schoolyard attack, was assaulted while playing a game with other students, police have told.
Emergency crews were called to Wattawa Heights Public School in Bankstown about midday on Tuesday following reports of a fight.
A 10-year-old boy was involved in a game with a group of other students when he was allegedly assaulted and fell backwards, police have been told.
Seven News reported a fight broke out at a school toilet block yesterday. One of the students told his mother he saw one of the children punch the boy in the back before falling over and hitting his head on the ground.
The boy reportedly stopped breathing and paramedics were called to revive him. The student was taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead where he remains in a critical but stable condition.
It is understood the boy has a pre-existing medical condition and will undergo a full medical examination on Wednesday.
A devastated family friend of the young student has spoken out this morning, describing the victim as “an adorable sweet little boy.”
“Very humble little boy. Very sweet, very friendly. For someone to bully him like that is really upsetting,” Fatima Matar told 7 News.
Officers have spoken with Wattawa Heights Public School students but no further police action is expected.
The NSW education department said the school was working with police to determine how the boy was injured. The family of the injured student have been offered support.
Police begin new forensic search of missing mum Lynette Dawson’s former home
Hairdresser’s warning over popular hair product sold at Woolworths
“When accurate information about what occurred is available the school will share that with parents and carers,” a department spokesman said.
“It is not appropriate for the school to provide detailed comment about this matter before police finish their investigation.”
The age of criminal responsibility in NSW is 10. The Australian Institute of Criminology says the presumption a child is incapable of crime exists under common law for those aged 10 to 13.
“Wattawa Heights Public School is offering support to the family of the student injured at school yesterday and is working with police to determine the circumstances around the injury,” the school said in a statement.
A school spokesperson said parents and carers would be notified when updated information becomes available.
