The parents of a teenager who suffered a burst blood clot in his leg while in class – resulting in it swelling to twice its normal size – last night praised medics who they claim saved his life.
Thirteen-year-old football fanatic Jake Dunnett felt a “pop” in his thigh while studying at Thurso High School in Caithness, and his leg started to immediately swell.
He was rushed to Caithness General Hospital in Wick where, after undergoing a scan, he was flown directly to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness by air ambulance.
At Raigmore he underwent an MRI scan and was taken to surgery where almost three pints of blood was drained from his leg.
Dad Ali Dunnett, a well-known taxi driver in Inverness, last night said he and Jake’s mother Adele had “feared the worst” when they received the initial call about the medical emergency.
He said: “We believe that he suffered a clot in the thigh in a tackle while playing a football match three weeks ago, playing for Caithness United under-15s against Clachnacuddin.
“It probably burst then and the aneurism, or clot, was dormant until this week.
“When he was in class on Tuesday it just popped and his leg started swelling up immediately.”
He added: “The medics called to see him, the staff at Wick hospital, the helicopter crew, staff at the children’s ward and those who treated him at Raigmore were absolutely first class.
“The NHS treatment has been brilliant from start to finish. I can’t praise them enough for what they did for Jake.”
“It could have been much worse when you talk about blood clots and aneurisms. He was seen really quickly and treated really well.”
Mum Adele, who lives with Jake in Halkirk, Caithness, added: “I was hysterical when I was told at first, but the care he has had has been great.”
Jake was discharged on Thursday after surgery and has returned home to recover.
Mr Dunnett, also known in the Highland capital for previously running the Keg Bar in the city centre, added: “We are just delighted it has turned out well. We think it could have been much worse if not for the treatment he got.
“We feared at the start that he could have died and for that we thank the NHS staff for helping him.”
