Teenager suffers horrific injuries in go-kart smash
A TEENAGER is in a coma after being thrown from a go-kart while celebrating his 13th birthday in Belgium.
Anderson Nana Koemo, from Gorton, has undergone multiple surgeries and remains in hospital following the horrific accident on April 10.
The Trinity High School pupil, who had been visiting his father and other family members at the time, suffered a fractured skull and damage to his lungs.
At first Anderson seemed fine, but things quickly took a turn for the worse and the teenager collapsed unconscious.
He was rushed to hospital in Charleroi – a city in the south of the country – and was admitted to intensive care, where he went into a coma. Gradually Anderson, who plays basketball at Sport For All Centre in Reddish, Stockport, began to wake and doctors decided to operate and insert a metal plate into his fractured skull.
His recovery seemed to be going well, and he was even able to speak to friends back home over the phone.
But the youngster then suffered a major brain haemorrhage.
Despite successful surgery, he has still not yet fully regained consciousness.
Audu Obaje is assistant coach for Team Viper, the team that Anderson plays for.
His son Tsola, 12, also plays in the team and is friends with Anderson.
The 53-year-old said that school boy was in a stable enough condition to be flown home to the UK, and that he is now being treated at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
“There’s been a slight improvement, but he’s not fully regained consciousness yet,” Audu added.
“We don’t know what will happen when he does, what his needs will be. It’s impossible to know the extent of the damage at this point.”
For the past four months, Anderson’s mother Bertille Laure has been at his hospital bedside.
She has lost her agency job due to unavoidable time off work.
Friends have launched a fundraising appeal to support her as she cares for her son. It has already raised more than £400.
On September 15, Vipers head coach Hannah Broad will host a charity event at Sports For All Centre, next to Reddish Vale Technology College.
Bertille told the M.E.N. she had been touched by the support and prayer for her and her son.
To donate, visit justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/anderson