'I knew it was going to be a fight for life' Doctor speaks out after cricket boy crushed by falling tree

 
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A doctor told today how she battled to save a nine-year-old boy after he was hit by a falling tree at a cricket club.

Karolina Miller said Lewis Gaston initially appeared to be lifeless, suffering a fractured skull and unable to breathe, at Spencer Cricket Club in Earlsfield. The schoolboy and two other nine-year-olds, George Roberts and Aidan Oakley, had been struck by the tree when it was blown down during a practice session.

Dr Miller, a pathologist, was watching her husband’s son play on another pitch when she heard a loud crash followed by children screaming. She saw the tree on the ground with a crowd gathered round and sprinted to help.

She said Lewis was dragged out by parents and other spectators. “A man was carrying Lewis, he seemed lifeless”, she said. “I knew this was going to be a fight for life.”

Dr Miller, who works at Dorset County Hospital, added: “I gently took his head in my hands as we laid him on the ground and put him in the recovery position. He was not breathing. I kept calling his name and telling him to swallow as he had a blockage.

“He eventually did and I was able to open his mouth and help him to breathe.”

The 45-year-old doctor said she had been suffering from flashbacks since the incident. “He was in such pain, it was a horrible thing to see. He was just fighting for his life. Every moment was critical. At one point I thought we were going to lose him,” she said.

Lewis and George remain in a south London hospital. Aidan, who suffered leg injuries, has been discharged. The friends were among 50 boys waiting in line to practise their bowling when the huge lime tree fell on Saturday afternoon as high winds blew across the country.

Aidan’s father Christopher, 47, from Wandsworth, said: “It was very frightening. Suddenly this tree just took them all out.” His son was pinned down by his torso. “Aidan is OK but we were very shaken. Our thoughts are with Lewis and George,” he said.

The boys had been due to play a match yesterday. It was cancelled and the club postponed all further fixtures until an investigation is carried out.

England’s cricket team have pledged to give signed shirts to the three boys. They were prompted by tweets from former Enlgand fast bowler Alex Tudor, an ex-player and now coach at Spencer Cricket Club.

Former international Andrew Flintoff tweeted: “Thoughts and prayers are with the youngsters and their parents.” Spencer Cricket Club said: “Lewis and George remain under close observation. We understand that their condition is improving.”

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