Schoolboy left ‘brain dead’ after jumping off pier is ‘larger than life’, says headteacher as he’s moved to hospice
A BOY who was left brain dead after jumping off a pier is “larger than life” and his school will “never be the same” without him, says headteacher.
Jack Dolan has reportedly been moved into a hospice this week, as his heartbroken family watch their “one in a million” son “painfully fade away”.
The 15-year-old suffered catastrophic injuries after jumping off Margate pier in Kent in front of his friends and girlfriend last month.
His school have paid an emotional tribute to their beloved former “very popular” student, and said “life will never be the same”.
Headteacher Jasbinder Johal told KentOnline: “Jack is a very popular student with a larger than life personality and we were shocked and saddened when we heard the news about the tragic incident that happened.
“Members from The Howard School Pastoral team have maintained close contact with Jack’s family since the tragic incident took place.”
Mr Johal added that the school aim to “provide as much support as possible” to Jack’s family.
The school are raising money by collecting donations from students tomorrow.
“We will plan further fundraising events in the next academic year,” Mr Johal added.
It comes after heartbroken stepfather David Dolan, who has raised the youngster from an early age, confirmed Jack is “brain dead with a heartbeat”.
He said: “Jack has managed to breathe on his own; this doesn’t change his palliative care plan, [it] just lengthens it. His time is extremely limited due to the rest of his issues.
“This makes it all the more painful. He will deteriorate over the coming weeks/months but there is nothing that can be done for him.
“He has mild heart issues, seizures, dystonia and pain meds – he cannot swallow or cough, he is brain-dead with a heartbeat.
“My heart is breaking watching my lively, fun-loving boy slowly and painfully fade away, I want to save him, I’ve always saved him, but this is beyond even me.”
The grieving stepfather explained the aspiring Royal Marine is in “a grey area”, and the family have not been given a time expectancy on how long he will remain in this state.
“I am pushing every way I can to get a home suitable for his needs,” he added.
The family’s crowdfunding is raising money to help with the support they will need to install at home.
“So his sisters can read to him [and] we can show him the love and care he deserves,” David continued.
“He was one in a million and he’s doing it even at the end.”
It comes after Jack attempted to perform a trick while jumping off the Margate Pier.
David told how the teen had executed the stunt perfectly many times before.
But on this occasion, he “overspun” and hit the water face first, before being submerged for eight minutes
The teen tragically went into cardiac arrest before being pulled from the water.
Jack was airlifted to King’s College Hospital in London, where MRI scans discovered server brain damage.
When doctors removed life support earlier this month, Jack breathed for himself – a miracle in itself, but the most his body can do.
David said previously: “He’s alive but it’s like he’s not there. He was my best mate. We cannot explain how cruel all of this is.
“He’s like a newborn baby. He can’t move. There’s a heartbeat and that is it. There’s no eye contact. He cannot speak.”
The family have so far raised £25,305 through their JustGiving page, with a goal of £40,000.
Swimming safety advice
Experts have revealed some of their top advice for both adults and kids heading to the water this summer:
How to stay safe at the beach
Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: “If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety.
“If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
How to stay safe at the swimming pool
Tiny Hearts Education, former paramedic and CEO Nikki Jurcutz said: “Always put your little one in bright or contrasting colours that would be easy to find in an emergency.
“It only takes 20 seconds to drown, little tips like this could save a life”.
An Auqabliss spokesperson added: “Swimming toys such as noodles, dive rings, floaties and beach balls can be dangerous if left in the pool.
“Children may try to grab these from the pool’s edge and fall in.”
How to stay safe at a waterpark
Ali Beckman, Puddle Ducks Technical Director, said: “Never send a child down the slide on their own, not only are they going to be entering the slide pool area independently, they then have to exit the pool and wait for an adult.
“And wave pools should be avoided until your child is really confident with water going over their faces and you know they are able to regain their feet independently.
“Waterparks are often very busy places and it’s easy to lose sight of a child in a split second.”