SAITAMA - A 3-year-old boy has regained consciousness about three weeks after his neck got caught in a playground rope at a day care center in east Japan, leaving him in critical condition.
On May 24 investigators said the boy had recovered consciousness several days earlier. He's still in the hospital, but is apparently able to say mama and other words.
The boy's family issued a statement through Saitama Prefectural Police, saying: It has been about three weeks since the sudden accident, and we are relieved that our son has regained consciousness. The accident happened on May 2, in the city of Kuki in the Saitama Prefecture Prefecture. Police say that there is a mound of dirt at the day care facility of Nazuna-no-mori Hoikuen, and a rope has just been set up to hang down from the top of the mound along the slope on the day of the accident. At the time, it is believed that children were playing with the rope.
In response to the accident, the Kuki Municipal Government is conducting a special guidance probe of the day care facility in compliance with the Child Welfare Act.