Boy, 9, Loses Kidney After Playground Fall

A routine playground visit turned into a nightmare for one family after a young boy suffered a severe injury. The incident underscores the potential dangers lurking in everyday environments, prompting a call for heightened vigilance.

Accident’s Start

On June 20, nine-year-old Liu Junwen was playing with friends when he fell from monkey bars at a Bukit Batok playground. The boy lost his grip and struck a plastic partition, according to his father, Mr. Liu Zhiyuan, 46.

Discovery of the Injury

After the fall, Junwen returned home complaining of stomach pain. His father initially advised rest. However, after his mother, Madam Cheng Meiyan, bathed him, she noticed his urine was tinged red. They immediately rushed him to National University Hospital (NUH).

“Doctors initially diagnosed him with internal bleeding, but could not identify the exact organ. They said the condition was critical and began a blood transfusion immediately,”

—Mr. Liu, Father

X-rays later revealed a severe rupture in Junwen’s right kidney, necessitating urgent surgery. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, playground injuries result in over 200,000 emergency room visits annually (AAP statistics).

Surgery and Recovery

The operation, which began at midnight, lasted three to four hours. Surgeons had to remove the kidney entirely due to a 10cm-long tear. Junwen is now recovering in the ICU.

Mr. Liu shared his shock, saying that, “I never imagined the injury would be so serious. He’s nine years old and usually knows how to take care of himself and stay safe. This accident came as a shock.”

When reporters visited the playground, the monkey bars from which Junwen fell were observed to be about 1.8m tall. Mr. Liu hopes this incident will remind parents to be vigilant: “No one expects something like this to happen, but it’s always better to have an adult around when children are playing.”