THE family of a 13-year-old boy have endured a “horrifying experience” after he suffered life-changing injuries when he fell from a swing.

On his first day back at school after the summer holidays, Archie McBride was allegedly approached by a group of teenagers who asked to push him on the swings at Kitty’s Field in Worthing.

However, Archie fell suffering severe injuries to his hip and pelvis and, almost a month on, he remains at a hospital in Southampton, unable to move.

His mother, Chanel, has been keeping a vigil by his bedside but his sister, Phyllis, has been unable to visit due to coronavirus.

Police have interviewed four teenagers in connection with the incident earlier this month.

A fundraiser has been launched for Archie who will need a hip replacement and is expected to need a wheelchair as he learns to walk with a frame and crutches.

Close family friend Amy Cole has set up a GoFundMe page to help his family as they support Archie on his journey to recovery.

She said: “This has massively affected Archie, his mental health and wellbeing, and that of his family.

“He has an amazing mum who has been at his bedside since this has happened but, due to Covid, no one else has been able to help nor visit meaning his dear little two-year-old sister is missing her mum and her brother.

“This horrifying experience has hugely impacted the whole family and will continue to for many years to come.”

The Argus:

Archie fell from a swing at the park off Dominion Road on September 8.

It was his first day back at school in six months after the summer holidays and school closures enforced at the start of the coronavirus lockdown.

He now faces a six-month recovery period and will not be able to return to Sussex until later this month as he is currently not well enough to be moved.

Amy said: “He is unable to have his hip replacement until he is about 17 years age and fully-grown.

“He will still need a hip replacement every ten to 15 years after that.

“Until then, unfortunately, he has to learn to live with the pain and adapting to a new life, which no child should ever have to endure.”

Amy set up the GoFundMe page to help cover costs such as the family’s travel expenses as they make the 100-mile round-trip to Southampton to visit Archie.

She said: “The reason why I have set up this GoFundMe is to help with travel costs and food during his stay in hospital, while keeping the bills paid on the home Archie will be returning to.”

She also said that Archie’s birthday was around the corner, and hoped some of the funds could also be used to help celebrate.

Amy said: “It can also help with education, given they have just had six months off and there is no real idea of when Archie will be able to return to school.

“The fundraiser can also help to get little Phyllis something she’s always wanted and put a smile back on her face, and lift a little weight and worry off Chanel’s shoulders.

“She has managed everything so well, and she would do anything and everything for her children with no second thought. But everyone needs a little help from time to time - and this is their time.

“I hope this will help to alleviate some stress and give them less to worry about.”

Sussex Police launched an appeal on September 19 to find four boys they believe were involved in the incident.

Ten days later, on Tuesday, the force issued a statement saying that four teenagers had attended a voluntary interview.

A spokesman said: “Four teenagers have been identified in relation to an incident at a Worthing park.

“A 13-year-old local boy sustained life-changing injuries after falling from a swing at the park known as ‘Kitty’s Field’, off Dominion Road, on September 8. He currently remains in hospital.

“Four teenagers voluntarily attended police interview in response to a police appeal for information, and are fully assisting officers with their enquiries. No other persons are being sought.

“We would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding while we investigate this incident, and we would we urge people not to speculate as we seek to establish the full circumstances.”

Click here>>>to visit the GoFundMe page and donate