A teenager who “died” on the way to hospital after suffering a serious head injury at T in the Park insists he is already planning to buy a ticket for next year’s festival.
Ryan Hunter (19) has been released from hospital just a fortnight after the horrific injuries when he fell six feet from a flagpole while celebrating with 85,000 revellers on the Sunday night of the Balado event.
He was treated at the scene by the on-site medical team before being taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where his condition was initially described as critical.
Ryan, from Kintore, Aberdeenshire, developed a blood clot on his brain and technically died in the ambulance before being revived by paramedics.
He had part of his skull removed during neurosurgery and was moved to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where he convalesced before being discharged on Friday.
Speaking to The Courier via email from his home he is still unable to talk properly due to the tubes that fed him during his recovery the music lover told how he was lucky to be alive.
Ryan wrote, “I can’t remember the fall at all. I was taken by ambulance from T in the Park to Ninewells and I have been told that I died in the ambulance but was revived.
“Once I got to the hospital they cut part of my skull out because there was a blood clot in my brain and they then heavily sedated me so I was in a coma to give my body time to heal.
“They woke me out of the coma on the Tuesday after the fall and they were unsure if I would have brain damage or not luckily I am fine.”PainkillersHe added, “They kept me in the high dependency unit at Ninewells and fed me full of painkillers until the following Monday when they moved me up to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, who then let me out on Friday.
“I am now at home waiting to find out when I will get a titanium plate replacement for the piece of skull they removed.”
The former Kemnay Academy pupil said his family had suffered the most.
He wrote, “My parents were devastated because they thought I was either going to die or end up brain-dead.
“Now they are fine but fussing over me a lot. I do feel really lucky to be alive and I am also glad there has been no brain damage done.”
Ryan added that, although his experience had not put him off attending music festivals, he had learned a valuable lesson.
He said, “I will be buying a ticket for next year’s T in the Park as soon as I can I will just make sure I don’t climb anything this time!”
Ryan also revealed that he will need physiotherapy to help him walk again, as his balance has been affected by the fall.