Relief after toddler William Morris survives Wallington fall

Jul 3 2010 by Rob Pattinson, The Journal

SAFELY back at home and clinging to his cuddly toy, William Morris is lucky to be alive – a fact his parents know better than most.

Leading neuroscientists Chris and Janet were numbed with shock when their two-year-old fell and fractured his skull in the play park of a Northumberland mansion.

The brain experts have seen the X-rays from their son’s treatment, and both know how close their young family came to tragedy.

The crack in Will’s skull missed damaging crucial blood vessels in his brain by the tiniest of fractions.

Last night Will was back at home in Throphill, Morpeth, celebrating his third birthday with ‘Helicopter Ted’, a gift from the air ambulance which flew him to safety.

His relieved parents have told how they are now attempting to put the trauma of the last week behind them.

Will was hurt in the children’s adventure playground at Wallington Hall and Gardens near Morpeth, Northumberland.

The youngster was standing on a platform waiting for his turn on the slide when he stepped backwards and fell, smashing his head against an upright log embedded in the ground as a stepping stone.

Mum Janet, 43, a neuroscientist at Newcastle’s Centre for Life, said: “He just lost his footing and fell off the edge and as he hit his head he lost consciousness.

“It looked as though he was still awake but he wasn’t responding so I knew something really wasn’t right. When he woke up he was being sick and complaining of being dizzy and he was white as a sheet. All he wanted to do was go to sleep, so we were trying everything to keep him awake.

“It was so, so frightening. We got to A&E and everybody was waiting for us and they carried him away.”