By Susan Sandys  February 9 2010

Tinwald parents Paul and Gayleen Thompson are counting their blessings after a home accident last week seriously injured their four-year-old son.

Daniel was playing in his front yard with eight-year-old sister Tessa on January 30.

Mr Thompson was with them but left briefly to go to the back yard and get a paint brush.

Next thing he knew Tessa brought a crying Daniel to him, with a bleeding nose.

The lively and active preschooler had taken the opportunity to climb some metal bars stored in the front yard while his dad wasn’t looking, and they had fallen on top of him.

Mr and Mrs Thompson realised Daniel was in serious trouble when he started to panic because he couldn’t see, exacerbated by his swelling eyelids.

They noticed his forehead was indented, and dialed 111.

While it “seemed like eternity” waiting for the ambulance, it arrived quickly and Daniel was taken to Ashburton Hospital before being immediately transferred to Christchurch.

Mr and Mrs Thompson say the first two hours, when their son’s injury was considered potentially life-threatening, was the longest two hours of their lives

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His injuries included a fractured skull, nose and eye socket.

Daniel spent five days in hospital and remains on pain relief medication, but is making a rapid recovery.

“So we are very lucky with the outcome, it could’ve been any outcome really,” Mrs Thompson said.

“It’s just good to see him back to what he was,” said Mr Thompson as Daniel ran around outside vigorously kicking a soccer ball.

Pictured: Four-year-old Daniel Thompson is all smiles as he recovers from a serious home accident last week. - Photo Carmen Rooney 080210-CR-148