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Teen’s sporting injury scare highlights need for scanner
Dr Stephen Thompson treating a neck injury
A teenager who was suspected to have suffered a neck injury after falling on his head during a rugby game is urging people to support the Evening Post’s campaign to raise money for a CT scanner for Royal Preston Hospital’s emergency department.
Nathan Fisher, 13, of Coppull, near Chorley, is a pupil at Holy Cross School and was playing a Rugby League game at Southland’s High School in Chorley when he suffered the injury.
Nathan said: “I had just scored a try and I was tackled and fell on my head. I felt this shooting pain in my neck and I was in agony.”
Luckily for Nathan, a St John’s Ambulance paramedic, an off-duty firefighter and a police firearms officer were among the watchers of the game and they immediately came to his aid.
Nathan was carried off the school field and paramedics arrived, his head was put in neck blocks before he was transported by ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital.
Nathan underwent an X-ray and was poised to undergo a CT scan after a specialist had examined the results of the X-ray. His parents Sharon and Simon Fisher were at his side and said that Nathan’s sudden injury highlights the importance of having a CT scanner in the A&E department as no one ever knows when they could be the one needing it.
Dad Simon said: “It is only when you or a member of your family is in that position that you realise how widely used CT scanners are and how everyone can benefit from them. It is really important for people to support the LEP Lifesaver Appeal as Royal Preston Hospital really needs a CT scanner in its emergency department.
“Having a CT scanner close by could make the difference between life and death.”
Luckily for Nathan, the X-ray revealed that he had not fractured his neck, so he ended up not needing a CT scan.
Dr Stephen Thompson, senior house officer at Royal Preston Hospital, explained: “Luckily, it looks like Nathan has pulled a muscle down the right hand side of his neck and spine.”
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Weather for Preston
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 16 C
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