Teenage boy lucky to be alive after being stabbed in chest at Coombabah High

THE family of a 13-year-old boy who was stabbed in the chest at a Queensland school have questioned why teachers failed to call an ambulance.

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THE family of a 13-year-old boy who was stabbed in the chest at a Queensland school have questioned why teachers failed to call an ambulance, leaving him in the care of the school nurse.

The Coombabah State High School student sustained a 2cm stab wound dangerously close to his heart when he intervened in a fight between two girls.

The confrontation on Tuesday morning is believed to have been planned on Facebook. Teachers broke up the fight about 8.45am, police were called and the boy was sent to the school nurse for treatment.

His family later took the student to a doctor who sent him to Gold Coast University Hospital where he was assessed by a surgical team and cleared of serious injuries.

The boy’s sister, Cody Leigh, said their parents were stunned by the stabbing and the severity of their son’s wound.

A student was stabbed at Coombabah State High School on Tuesday morning.

“My parents were called about the incident but were shocked to find it was so serious and an ambulance had not been called,’’ Ms Leigh said.

“My brother will be fine, but a few centimetres more and it could be a different story.

“We took him to a doctor who advised we go to a hospital. Surgical staff looked at the wound but he was lucky.

“Any deeper and it could have punctured a lung and any further along and it could have hit his heart.’’

Ms Leigh urged parents to keep an eye on their children’s use of social media.

“It is so important to monitor what kids are saying on social media,’’ she said. “My brother didn’t think much of some things being said, but look how it’s ended. High school kids use social media to bully and threaten each other and it can get out of hand.”

Coombabah State High School.

A 13-year-old girl who allegedly brought the knife to school will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.

A spokesman for the Department of Education and Training confirmed a student at Coombabah State High School had been injured.

“First aid was promptly administered to the student by school staff, police were immediately called to the school and the student’s parents were also called to the school,” the spokesman said. “The Department takes the health and welfare of Queensland state school students very seriously but as the matter is before the courts, the Department cannot provide further details.”

The attack was witnessed by a number of students in the playground and the spokesman said those affected were offered support.

The injured teen’s family did not want him identified, but have made a formal complaint to police.

The alleged attacker faces a range of punishment.

Originally published as Teenage boy lucky to be alive after being stabbed in chest at Coombabah High