A GRATEFUL mum has praised her son's quick-thinking friends who rushed to his aid when he fell off play equipment in a new play park near his school in Musselburgh.

The three boys ran to nearby Musselburgh Grammar School to report the accident and called for an ambulance after 13-year-old Arran Marley-Hay fell from the flying fox at the facility in Lewisvale Park and banged his head.

The first-year pupil suffered a seizure on the ground after the fall, which happened during the lunchtime break last Wednesday.

His mum Ann Hay was alerted by the school and ran to the scene from the family's Newbigging home to find her son "motionless, lying face down on the grass".

Ann, who said that Arran had never suffered a seizure before, was met by paramedics at the entrance gate and was told that her son was OK and conscious.

"When they turned him over, he put his hand out and took mine," she said.

East Lothian Courier: Arran with mum Ann

Arran with mum Ann

Arran, accompanied by his mum, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People in Edinburgh, where his anxious dad David, who had been at work, was waiting.

Arran underwent a CT scan and was kept in hospital for 48 hours for observation because he had suffered a head injury. He was released from hospital the next day.

Ann said: "I can't thank his friends enough for their quick thinking.

"He was on the flying fox and it must have locked halfway and threw Arran off.

"He banged his head on the ground so hard it caused a seizure.

"The doctors told us he was very lucky not to have caused serious damage.

East Lothian Courier: Arran Marley-Hay was helped by quick-thinking school pals

Arran Marley-Hay was helped by quick-thinking school friends

"His friends were amazing and jumped into action. Two went to get a teacher and one called an ambulance straight away.

"For being so young, the boys deserve a medal. We are just so thankful to them."

She also paid tribute to the medical staff, saying: "From the emergency to the ward, the staff were outstanding."

Ann expressed concern that there was "nothing soft" on the ground at the new play park, adding: "There should be something soft underneath in case someone falls off. We don't want any other parents going through what we did."

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: "We can confirm that the parent has been in touch regarding this matter.

"All council play areas across the county meet required design and safety standards at installation."