This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-23367272
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Boy, 11, injured by petrol bomb in Londonderry park | Boy, 11, injured by petrol bomb in Londonderry park |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The mother of an 11-year-old boy who was injured in a petrol bomb attack in a Londonderry play park has said she fears her son will be scarred for life. | The mother of an 11-year-old boy who was injured in a petrol bomb attack in a Londonderry play park has said she fears her son will be scarred for life. |
The device was thrown as the child played in the park at Iniscarn Crescent, in the Creggan estate, at about 16:45 BST on Thursday. | The device was thrown as the child played in the park at Iniscarn Crescent, in the Creggan estate, at about 16:45 BST on Thursday. |
The boy was struck on the back and taken to hospital with burn injuries. | The boy was struck on the back and taken to hospital with burn injuries. |
He has since been transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he is in a stable condition. | He has since been transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he is in a stable condition. |
'Harrowing scream' | 'Harrowing scream' |
The boy's mother, Donna Grant, told BBC Radio Foyle that she had been sitting out on the street when her injured son ran back to her from the play park. | The boy's mother, Donna Grant, told BBC Radio Foyle that she had been sitting out on the street when her injured son ran back to her from the play park. |
"He came running down the street squealing 'I'm on fire, I'm on fire, someone threw a petrol bomb and I'm on fire, I'm melting'. | "He came running down the street squealing 'I'm on fire, I'm on fire, someone threw a petrol bomb and I'm on fire, I'm melting'. |
"It was a harrowing scream," she said. "I have never heard him scream like that before". | "It was a harrowing scream," she said. "I have never heard him scream like that before". |
The police believe two boys, aged about 12 or 13, were involved in the attack. | The police believe two boys, aged about 12 or 13, were involved in the attack. |
'Scandalous' | 'Scandalous' |
It is understood there was no ongoing disorder in the area at the time. | It is understood there was no ongoing disorder in the area at the time. |
Derry Mayor Kevin Campbell said those who attacked the boy had caused "an awful lot of hurt and harm in this community". | Derry Mayor Kevin Campbell said those who attacked the boy had caused "an awful lot of hurt and harm in this community". |
"It is absolutely scandalous," he said. "Where do we go from here? Are we going to have to put people walking about that park to protect that park? | "It is absolutely scandalous," he said. "Where do we go from here? Are we going to have to put people walking about that park to protect that park? |
"You are never expecting a child of 11 years of age to get hit by a petrol bomb," Mr Campbell added. | "You are never expecting a child of 11 years of age to get hit by a petrol bomb," Mr Campbell added. |
PSNI Chief Inspector Jon Burrows called the attack "horrendous". | |
"This young man is very badly injured. I'm grateful that he's not dead if I'm quite blunt," he said. | |
"We are shocked by this incident, even as hardened police officers." | |
Ch Insp. Burrows said he could not speculate on a motive for the attack because he was hoping to arrest those involved. | |
"I don't know whether it was a prank, I don't even know if it was badness, maliciousness," he said. | |
"What I do know is that someone was clearly committing a crime because they had a petrol bomb and someone has been very badly injured. | |
"We need the help of the community in Creggan. I've no doubt people know who did this and if you can't tell us directly, if you can't give us a statement of evidence please ring Crimestoppers. Give us the names of who did this." |