Teenager in Serious Condition After “Tap Out” Game Goes Wrong

A teenager has fractured his skull and was in serious condition when a supposedly fun tap out game in playground goes wrong.

Jamie Cox, 15, from Gold Coast, reportedly played a game called blackout or “tap out” where one person restrains another so they can’t escape and have to “tap out” to be released that took place in Palm Beach-Currumbin High playground about 12.55pm on Wednesday. However, during the game, Jamie landed heavily on the ground, fracturing his skull and sustaining serious head injuries, reported the Courier Mail.

He was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in critical condition, where he underwent emergency surgery for the injuries.

Sources close to Jamie’s family told The Courier Mail that it was “more like a prank gone terribly wrong”, but there were conflicting reports about whether the tragic accident was also a result of the choking game. “Jamie was set upon without warning “” there was no game. It was done unannounced and without warning,” the source said.

In a Facebook post, Jamie’s father, Rodney said that Jamie was recovering well from the surgery but still had a long, hard road back to health. “Surgery was a success and although not quite out of the woods, he is fairly alert and responsive at this stage. Further scans and tests to come,” he wrote.

Officers from the Child Protection Investigation Unit were alerted to the incident and launched an official investigation.

An Education Department spokesman said that students had been warned about their dangerous behaviour. He said that the school is treating the matter seriously and is coordinating with police in its investigation.

“Staff have spoken with the parents of both students. The school does not condone any behaviour or activity that puts another student at risk of serious injury,” he said.

Sources: Dailymail.co.uk, Heraldsun.com.au and Goldcoastbulletin.com.au