Teen Suffers Life-Threatening Injury After Pub Shortcut

A 19-year-old teenager, Brayden Cook, is currently fighting for his life after taking a dangerous shortcut while trying to return home from a pub in the Peak District. On September 26, 2023, Brayden attempted to leap over a fence, leading to a fall of approximately five feet onto concrete, resulting in a severe head injury. He is now in a coma at Royal Stoke Hospital, where his mother, Penny Cook, is anxiously awaiting news regarding his condition.

Brayden was enjoying a hiking holiday with friends when he decided to take a different route back to their accommodation. After having consumed “a few pints,” he believed this shortcut would save time. Unbeknownst to him, the other side of the fence had a steep slope leading down to the road. As he jumped over, Brayden fell further than expected, hitting his head on the concrete below and losing consciousness.

Penny, a community physiotherapist, rushed to the hospital upon learning of her son’s accident. Describing the scene, she said, “I just saw my little boy lying there with tubes in his mouth and his eye was so swollen. He was lifeless and it was horrible.” In addition to a traumatic brain injury, Brayden also suffered multiple facial fractures.

Doctors have informed Penny that Brayden may need to remain in the hospital for up to six months, with a potential recovery period extending to a year. She recalled the moment she first saw him in the hospital: “His left eye was like a football and black and blue. He had three-inch stitches on the left side of his head as well.”

Penny explained that the fall occurred after a fun evening at the pub. “When they left, Brayden and his friend decided to take a shortcut over the fence. Brayden went first. He must have just climbed over the fence and landed on his head,” she added. Fortunately, the doctors have indicated that the bones in his face have not been displaced, allowing for conservative treatment without the need for surgery.

As Brayden remains in a critical condition, Penny faces the emotional turmoil of hoping for his recovery while grappling with the uncertainty of what his awakening might entail. “It’s a bit of a guessing game of how he’s going to wake up. I kept asking if he was going to make it, and the doctors said they couldn’t give me an answer,” she said.

The planned family trip to Thailand for a five-and-a-half-week backpacking adventure, scheduled for December 10, 2023, is now on hold. Penny expressed concern about the financial burden of staying near the hospital while supporting her son’s recovery. She is currently raising funds through a GoFundMe campaign to cover private neuro-rehabilitation treatment and her accommodation costs.

“The trip now won’t happen as he won’t be able to fly for a while because of the pressure on his brain. He went to Thailand for two-and-a-half months this year and didn’t come back with a scratch. He went to the Peak District, and this is where we are now,” she reflected.

Penny’s determination to be by Brayden’s side during his recovery is unwavering, but the stress of managing her own livelihood while caring for him weighs heavily. “Because I’m self-employed and I’m not earning while I’m with Brayden, I still have a house to run and I’m paying for accommodation near the hospital too,” she noted.

As the family navigates this challenging period, friends and the community are coming together to support Brayden through fundraising efforts. Those wishing to contribute can find the campaign online, helping to provide much-needed resources for his recovery journey.