School's nervous wait on Aryan's progress

Police conduct their investigations at Taradale Primary School after a 9-year-old boy was found hanging out of a window in May. Photo / Paul Taylor

Taradale Primary School is still working with government agencies to determine how a boy was left hanging by his shirt from a toilet window, critically injuring him.

Aryan Banerjee, 9, was in a stable condition at Auckland's Starship Hospital yesterday, a hospital spokesman said.

It is understood he remains unconscious and may have suffered brain damage. He was transferred to Hawke's Bay Hospital last month, but returned to Starship last week after complications arose.

Aryan was jumping out of a toilet window at the school when his shirt got caught, causing breathing difficulties. He was placed in an induced coma and flown to Starship on May 25.

Aryan's father, a Hawke's Bay GP, reportedly said an MRI scan revealed his son had received significant brain damage. The school was left reeling after the accident, and shaken pupils were offered specialist support services.

Taradale Primary School's board of trustees chairman Steve Alexander told Hawke's Bay Today in a statement the ordeal had been "distressing for the entire school community".

"We are continuing to focus on supporting Aryan's family, our students and our staff. We are grateful for the concern and support expressed by the local community," he said.

Aryan's family had asked for privacy, so the school would not be releasing any information on his condition.

Police carry out their investigations at Taradale Primary school in Napier after a pupil was found hanging out of a classroom window. Photo / Paul Taylor

"We are continuing to work with government agencies to determine exactly what happened. It may be many weeks before we hear the results of those investigations. In the meantime, we are maintaining regular contact with the Banerjee family.

"We are not aware of any pupils showing continued signs of distress. But parents have been urged to contact the school if they have any concerns," he said.

A Worksafe NZ investigation into the incident is ongoing, a spokesperson said yesterday.

Police previously described the occurrence an "unfortunate accident" and the school was said to have co-operated fully with their investigation.