Young athlete, 14, may have feet amputated after being electrocuted at school
Chase Allen may need to have his feet amputated after being electrocuted at school (Image: gofundme.com)
An 'athletic' 14-year-old boy has been told he may need to have his feet amputated after being electrocuted at a prestigious £58,000-a-year boarding school.
Multiple emergency services including ambulances, an air ambulance, a specialist hazard team, fire engines and police raced to the scene at Millfield School in Somerset last weekend after receiving reports of an incident involving multiple injured people. Chase Allen, described by friends and family as a talented young athlete, was rushed to hospital alongside two other pupils after coming into contact with a high voltage cable.
The "bright" 14-year-old remains fighting for his life this weekend after suffering serious injuries to his internal organs, and has been left with burns so severe that he has had "most of his toes amputated", his family said. He may need to stay in hospital for at least two months.
The 14-year-old was one of three pupils hospitalised after coming into contact with a high voltage cable at Millfield School, Somerset
Family friend Daveene Mccallion has set up a Gofundme page to help support Chase's loved ones, who are based in New Zealand and South Africa.
Sharing the devastating news that the teen could soon face having his feet amputated, she explained: "Chase is bright and energetic, with a passion for sports. Known for his determination and athletic skill, he has been an inspiration to his teammates and friends. He has always been positive, healthy and strong.
"His injuries are extensive, affecting his internal organs and with such severe burns that he has had most of his toes amputated. His feet may have to be amputated and NHS surgeons are working tirelessly.
"They remain uncertain whether they will be able to save his feet as the burns have caused critical damage. We all pray that no more had to be amputated and we are enormously grateful for everything the NHS is doing. Careful fluid therapy is being used for his internal injuries. Chase's recovery will be a long and challenging journey. He is expected to remain in the hospital for at least two months, focusing on stabilising his condition."
An update posted on the page on Thursday said it would be a "long journey" ahead for Chase, but added: "We stand together in holding up a framework of support for this remarkable and very brave young man."
Chase's parents added: "Chase has a recovery day today and is resting as much as he can to prepare for his 5th surgery tomorrow. We are incredibly grateful for the out pouring of love, support and prayers from the Millfield community and beyond. Our boy is a real warrior, a fighter and we are staying positive and praying that he can continue to get better with every hour that passes."
Gavin Horgan, headmaster of the school, wrote to parents to tell them a 'serious incident occurred' at school, and is understood to have stated in the letter that 'contact with overhead electrical cables' had caused the injuries.
He added: "The boys have undergone surgery overnight and are currently in a stable condition. It will be some time before we understand the extent of their injuries and it will be a long road to recovery. All three students have their families or close family friends with them. We are in close contact with the families and they are very grateful for the care that has been afforded to their children."
A Millfield School spokesperson said: "There is no ongoing danger to others. The entire Millfield community's thoughts and best wishes are with them all. We ask for everyone to respect their privacy and avoid speculation. We are working closely with the authorities to investigate how the accident occurred."
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "We were called by the ambulance service at 7.50pm on Saturday 3 May to support them and the fire service in responding to an incident at Millfield School, near Street. Three people were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Their next of kin have been informed. Following the incident, a referral was made to the Health and Safety Executive who will lead in any investigation."
A HSE spokesperson said: "HSE is aware of this incident and has been in contact with Avon and Somerset Police and the School to make initial enquiries."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Midwife struck off after claiming vaccines ‘attacked babies' on social media
Seana Mary Kerr, of Newry, Northern Ireland, also told a pregnant woman in a shop that she should not be wearing a face mask during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) tribunal panel judgment. Ms Kerr, who had been a registered midwife since 2007, was found by a panel to have placed the woman at 'significant risk of harm' with her views, while she had 'risked seriously undermining the public confidence' in her profession at a crucial time with her posts. In the first of three social media posts in September 2020, Ms Kerr said that babies were being attacked in the womb through vaccination of mothers during pregnancy. Then, in March 2021, she claimed healthcare professionals were being 'complicit' in the national response to Covid-19, and that the health crisis was 'a Trojan horse intend[ed] to introduce a new era for humanity'. A further post in December that year made reference to how a group of people, described as 'they', had been 'planting the seeds' about Covid-19 over Christmas 2020 by referring to 'some bat in China'. Ms Kerr's advice and social media comments were given when she had identified herself as a midwife and was 'promoting her opinion on matters of clinical importance', the panel found. 'The panel considered that the actions of Ms Kerr took place during an exceptionally unusual time, where the entirety of the NHS was mobilised to protect the public from the international Covid-19 pandemic,' they said. 'Therefore, by expressing the view that other healthcare professionals, who Ms Kerr was working with in the Trust, were acting in ways which may cause harm, a view Ms Kerr held which was against the recognised guidance at the time, Ms Kerr risked seriously undermining the public confidence in the profession. 'It further noted that by making these accusations that Ms Kerr's colleagues may have suffered harm while working in an unprecedented and challenging situation.' The midwife approached the pregnant woman in the shop, which was her place of work, during the other allegation in question in August 2020. She identified herself as a midwife before advising the woman that she should not be wearing the face mask as it reduced the amount of oxygen her baby was receiving. Ms Kerr went on to tell the woman that she should not receive a flu vaccination as this would increase the risk of her baby being stillborn. The panel found the pregnant woman and her family were caused 'significant emotional harm' as a result of Ms Kerr's behaviour. 'The panel noted that it is a reasonable expectation of everyone working in a public environment, such as a shop, that they will not be approached and given personal, clinical advice and that such advice would normally only be given during a private clinical appointment or at an antenatal class,' they said. 'Therefore, by approaching Patient A in her place of work, outside a clinical relationship, unsolicited, Ms Kerr placed her at significant risk of harm.' The panel found Ms Kerr's fitness to practise was still impaired and that there was a risk of the individual repeating her behaviour. Ms Kerr did not show any remorse for her misconduct or demonstrate any insight into her previous actions, and had not engaged with the NMC since June 2022, the panel said. It made an order to strike Ms Kerr's name from the register, after a 12-month suspension order had previously been imposed last year.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Time to face the harsh realities of spending orthodoxy
Labour came to power fatuously parroting the word 'change' and yet has shown itself to be the same old tax and spending party it has always been. What it meant was a change of party in office not a change of direction. Not only have taxes gone up but so-called protected spending is set to rise despite record debt levels. Yet if ever a public policy has been tested to destruction surely it is the notion that the NHS will improve if only more money is thrown at it. Even Sir Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, are on record as saying that higher health spending is not the answer to the endemic flaws in the health service and yet another £30 billion is to be announced for the next three years on top of the £22 billion handed over after last year's general election, much of which went on pay and showed nothing in the way of productivity improvement. No mainstream politician is prepared to acknowledge that the problem with the NHS is the fact it is a nationalised industry with all the inherent inefficiencies associated with such. Most other advanced economies in Europe and elsewhere have social insurance systems which work better. But the insistence in Britain of cleaving to the 1948 'founding principle' that treatment should be free at the point of delivery has become a quasi-religious doctrine that few dare challenge. Only Nigel Farage has questioned the wisdom of continuing with a system that patently fails to achieve what others manage to do but has been noticeably quiet on the subject recently because Labour will exploit it mercilessly to see off the Reform threat. Telling people that they will have to pay for something they have always had for free is even more difficult when political parties are prepared to see the health system get worse rather than reform it. The same is true of welfare. Taking benefits from people, even when they are payments introduced just a few years ago like the winter fuel allowance, is hard if the reasons are not explained and the issue is 'weaponised' by opponents. Yet unless the welfare budget is brought under control it will bankrupt the country. If change is to mean anything then we need politicians finally to understand the extent of the country's difficulties and make decisions accordingly. Will we see that from the Chancellor on Wednesday?
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Midwife struck off after claiming vaccines ‘attacked babies' on social media
Seana Mary Kerr, of Newry, Northern Ireland, also told a pregnant woman in a shop that she should not be wearing a face mask during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) tribunal panel judgment. Ms Kerr, who had been a registered midwife since 2007, was found by a panel to have placed the woman at 'significant risk of harm' with her views, while she had 'risked seriously undermining the public confidence' in her profession at a crucial time with her posts. In the first of three social media posts in September 2020, Ms Kerr said that babies were being attacked in the womb through vaccination of mothers during pregnancy. Then, in March 2021, she claimed healthcare professionals were being 'complicit' in the national response to Covid-19, and that the health crisis was 'a Trojan horse intend[ed] to introduce a new era for humanity'. A further post in December that year made reference to how a group of people, described as 'they', had been 'planting the seeds' about Covid-19 over Christmas 2020 by referring to 'some bat in China'. Ms Kerr's advice and social media comments were given when she had identified herself as a midwife and was 'promoting her opinion on matters of clinical importance', the panel found. 'The panel considered that the actions of Ms Kerr took place during an exceptionally unusual time, where the entirety of the NHS was mobilised to protect the public from the international Covid-19 pandemic,' they said. 'Therefore, by expressing the view that other healthcare professionals, who Ms Kerr was working with in the Trust, were acting in ways which may cause harm, a view Ms Kerr held which was against the recognised guidance at the time, Ms Kerr risked seriously undermining the public confidence in the profession. 'It further noted that by making these accusations that Ms Kerr's colleagues may have suffered harm while working in an unprecedented and challenging situation.' The midwife approached the pregnant woman in the shop, which was her place of work, during the other allegation in question in August 2020. She identified herself as a midwife before advising the woman that she should not be wearing the face mask as it reduced the amount of oxygen her baby was receiving. Ms Kerr went on to tell the woman that she should not receive a flu vaccination as this would increase the risk of her baby being stillborn. The panel found the pregnant woman and her family were caused 'significant emotional harm' as a result of Ms Kerr's behaviour. 'The panel noted that it is a reasonable expectation of everyone working in a public environment, such as a shop, that they will not be approached and given personal, clinical advice and that such advice would normally only be given during a private clinical appointment or at an antenatal class,' they said. 'Therefore, by approaching Patient A in her place of work, outside a clinical relationship, unsolicited, Ms Kerr placed her at significant risk of harm.' The panel found Ms Kerr's fitness to practise was still impaired and that there was a risk of the individual repeating her behaviour. Ms Kerr did not show any remorse for her misconduct or demonstrate any insight into her previous actions, and had not engaged with the NMC since June 2022, the panel said. It made an order to strike Ms Kerr's name from the register, after a 12-month suspension order had previously been imposed last year.
