Playtime gone wrong: Shocking photo shows knife buried in child's head

Gabriela N. reportedly said her son suddenly picked up a kitchen knife and threw it at the younger boy. Photo / 123rf (stock)

Warning: Graphic image.

A five-year-old boy ended up with a huge kitchen knife sticking out of his skull after his friend threw the blade at him as they played together.

The incident took place in the San Rafael colony in the municipality of Puerto Penasco, in the north-western Mexican state of Sonora.

Local authorities said Gabriela N., 33, was looking after her eight-year-old son as he was playing with his friend Ivan N., 5.

Gabriela N. reportedly said her son suddenly picked up a kitchen knife and threw it at the younger boy.

Ivan N was taken to hospital and an X-ray showed the knife was around 1.5 inches into the youngster's head and posed a risk to his life. Photo / Australscope

The blade hit the left side of Ivan N.'s and became lodged in his skull.

He was taken to hospital and an X-ray showed the knife was around 1.5 inches into the youngster's head and posed a risk to his life.

The boy was taken to Baja California where he underwent an emergency operation to remove the knife.

His father, identified as Domingo N., said they would not report the Gabriela N. to the authorities as they are family. It is unclear if the two boys are related or not.

Local media report Ivan N. is out of danger after the successful operation and he is expected to be discharged from hospital shortly.

- Australscope