THE parents of a six-year-old boy who fell 35 feet in a city centre clothes store have spoken of their "worst nightmare."
Six-year-old Ryan Hooley, of Beeston, remains in intensive care and is believed to have suffered five fractures in his skull after he fell from the first floor in Primark, in Long Row, at around 2pm on Wednesday.
He was shopping with his mother and four brothers and sisters when it happened.
Recalling the ordeal, his mother, Kate Hooley, said: "It's a bit of a blur. You never think it will happen to you. You hear about it.
"It's your worst nightmare come true. He was there one second, gone the next."
Ryan's ten-year-old brother, Kyle, is believed to have found him on the ground after the 35ft fall.
His father, Andrew Hooley, said Ryan was a keen Nottingham Forest fan. "I can't wait for him to get better to take him to his first match," he said.
"He's very boisterous, he is a boy – always playing football, following Forest all over the place."
He said that he wanted better safety measures at the store.
"I think it could be better safety, especially the rails on the first floor," he added.
Ryan's uncle Carl Leoni is reported to have said: "We don't at this stage know exactly how the accident happened but Ryan's mum and dad are both in pieces.
"They were originally told by doctors to expect the worst. Ryan's condition is extremely serious and doctors have induced a coma.
"He's suffered five fractures to his skull."
Ryan is currently in an induced coma at the Queen's Medical Centre and expected to be brought round at some point today.
He is in a critical condition.
Health and safety officers from Nottingham City Council are continuing their investigation into the fall.
A spokesman for the authority said: "We responded to reports that a young boy fell from the first floor to the ground floor of Primark, in Long Row.
"We understand the boy is being treated for serious head injuries at the Queen's Medical Centre and our thoughts are with him and his family at this anxious time.
"Where a serious accident takes place on retail premises, it is the responsibility of the local council to investigate.
"Our health and safety officers attended the site with the police and are leading the health and safety investigation into the circumstances of the accident.
"At this stage, it is not possible to comment on the details of the investigation other than to say officers will be visiting the store, contacting witnesses and gathering evidence to establish if there are any health and safety concerns that could be linked to the accident, but at this time this is not known."
A spokesman for Primark said the safety of its customers was "paramount".
He said the store was working with the authorities as the investigation takes place.
