NEWS: That's one bad hangover

By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
July 17, 2008


AN 18-year-old who mistook a serious head trauma for a hangover could have died from injuries sustained during a weekend assault in Loanhead.

The man was attacked in Clerk Street at around 2.30am on Sunday morning, when he was punched by a male assailant while apparently trying to split up a fight between two brothers.

Believing his injuries were not serious, he returned home for the night but unbeknownst to him his skull was slowly filling with blood as a result of a skull fracture.

As the fluid in his brain began to take effect the unnamed victim began vomiting.

Having consumed a quantity of alcohol the previous night, he dismissed his sickness as the after-effects of a heavy night and did not seek medical assistance.

However, when the vomiting didn't stop the man went to the Western General Hospital for a check-up, where doctors diagnosed a serious head trauma and he was rushed into emergency surgery. Police were not informed of the incident until Tuesday when the victim's mum contacted them out of concern for her son.

Police confirmed if the doctors hadn't acted fast, the man could have died from his injuries and they could have had a more serious enquiry on their hands.

The man is now recovering in the Western General Hospital where his condition is not life threatening.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Officers are particularly keen to talk to two women and a man who were seen outside the Masonic Lodge at the time of the attack.

A police spokeswoman said: "Had this man not received treatment when he did, the outcome could have been much more serious. You could say that he had a lucky escape.

"This assault has been committed on a young man who we believe was trying to break up a fight between two brothers and as a result has been punched, causing an injury which resulted in him having emergency surgery.

"We are appealing for two women and a young man who were seen on Clerk Street, near the Masonic Lodge, at the time of the assault to get in touch as a matter of urgency. We believe they may be able to provide some vital information in terms of the enquiry."

The lodge was empty at the time and local members said they were unaware of the attack prior to police enquiries.

James Hamilton, secretary of the 580 St Leonard's Lodge on Clerk Street, said: "I've spoken with our local caretaker and the barman and they have confirmed that there were no events at the lodge on Saturday night. As a result, no one from the lodge saw the attack take place."

The victim is presently recuperating in hospital and was unavailable for comment.