Derry boy seriously injured in tree fall

The mother of a Derry teenager has spoken of how her son suffered serious spinal injuries after falling from a tree in a local park.

Dylan Wade (14), from the Brandywell area, fell from a tree at St Columb’s Park on Sunday, May 8.

The teenager, a keen runner, fell 20 feet from the tree before landing on his back, resulting in serious injuries.

He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) in Belfast where he spent a number a days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The St Joseph’s Boys’ School pupil was then transferred to the high dependency unit, and his family now hope that he will be able to start rehabilitation at Musgrave Hospital soon.

His mother Nina said his injuries were the result of a ‘freak accident’.

She also urged parents to make their children aware of the dangers associated with climbing trees.

“Dylan was climbing the tree when he slipped on the branch and fell 20 feet before landing on his back, and he was very badly injured,” she said.

“You know, as a parent, especially of young boys, all you can say is ‘God bless and watch yourself’, and then when you get that phone call, it’s devastating.

“Now that we’re coming into the summer holidays, I would be saying to parents just make sure your children are aware of the risks they might be taking when they’re out in the likes of local parks, and not to be taking a chance.”

She added Dylan was a ‘strong and determined young man’ and that the family was ‘overwhelmed’ by the support they had received from the local community.

A number of events have been organised to help the Wade family with travelling costs, including the Long Tower Youth Club, which hosted a 5k walk/cycle race.

“If anyone can get through this, Dylan can,” she said, “and he has the support of everyone around him.”

“He is a member of the Born 2 Run running club and he recently picked up first in the Omagh 3k. Dylan’s also a fourth year in St Joseph’s and he’s involved in their cross country runners, so he’s very fit and the amount of support he and the rest of the family has received has just been overwhelming.”

She added: “There’s a sponsored walk taking place around Derry’s Walls next Thursday and the number of people who have already signed up has shown that.”

She concluded: “He’s such a great boy, and a credit to me.”