Distraught dad hits out at chemical incident which left son fighting for his life

Dad tells of family's worst few days of their lives as little boy recovers in hospital

Cameron Dickson
Published 25th May 2017
Last updated 25th May 2017

By Damien Edgar

The dad of a nine-year-old Belfast boy Cameron Dickson told today how their lives have been turned upside down as the youngster recovers in hospital after being exposed to dangerous chemicals, dumped at a bonfire site.

Speaking exclusively to Downtown & Cool FM, Harry said the family just wanted to get him home now – and “spoil him”.

“We were expecting the worse, thankfully he is stable now – he’s coming out of it,” he said.

“We really were helpless. It is our job to protect our son – it is every parent’s job to protect their child.

“But when your child’s lying there and can’t breathe and is relying on machinery and there’s absolutely nothing you can do. You are paralysed.

“I am looking forward to getting him awake, getting him home and probably getting a Big Mac down him. He has not eaten God love him in nearly five days, so I’ll be letting him do what he wants for a few days and spoling him.”

Harry Dickson

The youngster is still unconscious in the intensive care unit at the Royal Hospital in Belfast for Sick Children.

His condition was critical but now stable.

Earlier this week he was playing on wasteground near a bonfire site on Glenwood Street near the Shankill when he came into contact with hazardous material in a barrel.