A YOUNG lad is fighting for his life after he banged his head on a swing frame in a suspected teenage prank.

Kieran Snee, 11, suffered serious injuries during a game of "bumping" – where the seat is smashed against the ride's metal support.

He apparently pleaded with the older children to stop and complained of head pains and sickness after walking home.

The schoolboy later collapsed in hospital and was last night in a coma on a life support machine.

A girl of 15 was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and released on police bail.

Kirsty Bateman, mum of Kieran's cousin Jay who had been playing with him, said: "He was crying to be let off the swing. Jay told me one of the older boys said, 'Let him off'." But one of the girls allegedly hit back: "He's not had enough yet."

The boys were approached by the group of teenagers in the playground in Darlington, Co Durham.

Jay, 10, went on the swing first but got upset after being pushed by the older children and was allowed to get off.

They are thought to have promised not to do it again when Kieran got on – but apparently the "bumping" resumed.

He struck his head on the metal support and walked home before being sick. He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital where he collapsed and was transferred to James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough, for surgery. His dad Leon, 36, is his sole carer.

Gran Jean Love, 55, said: "He's the most loving kid anyone could wish for."

Durham Police are trying to build a picture of what happened in Denes Park around 2.40pm on Friday. Det Sgt Jim Cunningham said: "We do not yet know if this was an accident or if there was horseplay involved."

The £170,000 play area was closed at the weekend as the swing was taken down.

Councillor Stephen Harker said: "This really is a tragic accident. We are giving the equipment a check-over to ensure it's 100% safe."