Umbilo boy wakes from coma

Aaryan Joshua, the 12-year-old boy who suffered severe head injuries and was in an induced coma in hospital after a tree branch fell on top of him and his grandmother last month, has emerged from the coma, and has been responsive to doctors and family, Berea Mail reports.

He remains in ICU at Life Entabeni Hospital with doctors closely monitoring his progress. Neurosurgeon Dr Samesh Lachman said Aaryan’s condition had improved, and he is off the ventilator. He still, however, needs to undergo further tests and monitoring.

READ MORE: Grandmother and grandson injured by falling tree branch in Durban

Aaryan’s mother, Jayshree, said she is hopeful and is praying everything will turn out for the best.

“He is out of the coma and is responsive a bit. He’s recovering, the progress is there, but it is slow. The doctor still hasn’t replaced the part of his skull which was removed for surgery. There is still a way to go, and he will need further surgery,” she said.

Aaryan Joshua.

Jayshree said her mum, Nancy, whose femur was broken when the tree branch fell on her and Aaryan, has undergone her operation and is still in a lot of pain.

“She is not yet mobile, she is lying in bed and cannot walk, so we are doing everything to help her. Her leg is still very swollen. She will go for her checkup on 11 January,” she said.

After the incident, Jayshree accused the city of negligence after officials allegedly failed to respond to requests from residents to cut down the tree branch which was damaged in the October storm. However her accusations were dismissed by city communications spokesperson Tozi Mthethwa who said the Parks Department conducted a site visit and found no trees located in the street which were problematic.

https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/grandmother-and-grandson-injured-by-falling-tree-branch-in-durban/

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