"He was writhing in pain": Arrow pierces 10-year-old's skull at summer camp
When 10-year-old Daniel's father received a call from camp, he was told of a "small cut." At Schneider Children's Medical Center, it was revealed that an arrow had penetrated his skull, causing rare complications. Doctors warn that even recreational equipment can cause life-threatening injuries.
A drama unfolded at a summer camp this week: 10-year-old Daniel (names are fictional) from the Shfela region was injured during a camp activity after an arrow struck his face. What initially appeared to be a minor cut near the eye quickly proved to be a much more severe injury.
"They called me from the camp and said Daniel had been cut by a bow and arrow and was vomiting," his father, Michael, recalls. "In the photo they sent, it looked like a tiny wound. Daniel sounded fine on the phone, so I didn't think for a moment it was serious."
However, upon arriving to pick up his son, the gravity of the situation became clear. "As soon as he got into the car, he started vomiting. He was writhing in pain, unable to hold his head up, and said it felt like his head was exploding. I realized something was terribly wrong."
At the pediatric emergency department of Kaplan Medical Center, staff acted swiftly. When Daniel tried to blow his nose, air escaped from the wound—a red flag that prompted immediate CT scans. The tests revealed that the arrow had penetrated the bridge of his nose and eye socket, passing into the cranial cavity and causing fractures—a rare and dangerous complication.
Dr. Tzafnat Yair-Prokocimer, director of the pediatric emergency department at Kaplan, notes: "This case illustrates how an injury that looks superficial can hide significant damage. Because of the wound's location, we decided not to settle for an external exam. The staff's alertness allowed us to identify the injury and transfer the teenager for appropriate care."
After consulting with trauma and neurosurgery teams at Schneider Children's Medical Center, Daniel was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit. "On the way, they were already discussing the possibility of surgery," his father recalls. "Seeing your child exhausted and in such pain is a parent's worst nightmare."
Fortunately, surgery was not required. Daniel is now out of life-threatening danger, though he continues to suffer from headaches and dizziness. "It was a centimeter away from his vision and significant brain damage," his father says. "I am just grateful it ended this way."
Dr. Nir Samuel, director of the trauma service at Schneider, emphasizes: "One should not underestimate injuries of this type. Equipment like a bow and arrow, even when intended for leisure, can cause severe, life-threatening injuries." Daniel's parents also shared that the child who accidentally caused the injury is deeply distressed. "This was a real arrow with an iron head, not plastic. Safety rules must be strictly enforced to prevent such incidents," the father added.
