A Day That Took a Turn for the Worse

What began as an ordinary day of fun at the playground turned into a nightmare for a nine-year-old boy named Liu Junwen in Bukit Batok. On June 20, while playing on the monkey bars with his friends, Junwen lost his grip and fell, hitting his abdomen on a nearby plastic partition.

A Father's Nightmare

Junwen's father, Mr. Liu Zhiyuan, shared that the incident occurred around 6 PM near Block 443D, Bukit Batok West Avenue 8. When Junwen returned home in tears, he complained of severe abdominal pain, but there were no visible injuries. Concerned, Mr. Liu noticed his son's pale complexion and decided to monitor him closely.

"I assumed it was just a minor accident, but he kept crying and asking for water, saying his stomach hurt," Mr. Liu explained.

Shocking Discovery

The situation escalated when Junwen's mother, Madam Cheng Meiyan, noticed that his urine was tinged red while bathing him. Recognizing the seriousness, they rushed him to the National University Hospital around 9 PM.

A Race Against Time

Upon arrival, doctors suspected internal bleeding but were initially unable to pinpoint the source. Describing the dire situation, Mr. Liu said, "The doctors said it was critical and immediately started a blood transfusion." An X-ray later revealed a severe rupture in Junwen's right kidney.

Life-Saving Surgery Required

Faced with a life-threatening condition, the medical team opted for urgent surgery, which commenced at midnight and lasted about three to four hours. The surgeons discovered a 10-centimeter tear in Junwen's kidney and had no choice but to remove the damaged organ entirely.

Recovery and Reflection

Now recovering in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Junwen's father expressed disbelief over the severity of his son's injury. "I never expected it to be this serious. He's just nine and usually knows how to stay safe. This has been a shocking experience for us," Mr. Liu reflected.

A Warning to Parents

The following day, Shin Min reporters observed children playing at the same playground, with many supervised by adults. The monkey bars from which Junwen had fallen stand at a height of about 1.8 meters.

Mr. Liu hopes this incident serves as a cautionary tale for other parents. "No one anticipates an accident like this, but it’s crucial to have adults around when children are at play. Safety should always come first."