4:25pm Friday 10th October 2008
By Ben Thompson and Paul Cahalan
A 13-year-old boy has been rushed to hospital after a vicious attack in a school playground in Mitcham this morning.
Sources say the boy was set upon by at least three students during the morning break at St Mark’s Church of England Academy in Acacia Road and held in a head lock during the attack.
Merton police Superintendent Pete Dobson said the school’s resident PC rushed to the scene where the boy was lying unconscious and suffering breathing difficulties.
He said the boy had been in a life-threatening condition before being treated.
A Met spokesman said police, ambulance crews and the air ambulance were sent to the school at 11.26am.
A doctor from the air ambulance treated the boy at the scene before he was taken to St George’s Hospital where he remains in a serious condition.
The boy’s parents is believed to be at the hospital with him.
Supt Dobson said three males had been arrested immediately and another shortly afterwards and taken to south London police stations for questioning.
He said the attack was not believed to be gang-related.
Superintendent Pete Dobson said: “We are unclear what provoked this and it warrants full investigation but I’m confident we’ll get to the bottom of it.
“At the moment we are working very closely with the school.”
Academy principal Peter Evans confirmed four boys were students at the state secondary school.
Mr Evans was at pains to say that no weapons were involved in the incident and it was not gang-related.
All Year 8 students had been called to an assembly soon after where they were given a clear message about acceptable behaviour.
He said the school would launch a full investigation in to the incident and until then, the three boys involved would be remaining at home.
Mr Evans said the head of the boy’s year had accompanied him to hospital.
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