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NewsLocal NewsTeenager left in coma after Facebook party turns ugly

Teenager left in coma after Facebook party turns ugly

Claverhouse Drive where party turned violent.

THE MOTHER of a teenager left in a coma after a Facebook house party was today keeping a vigil at her son’s bedside.

The 17-year-old was rushed to hospital and had to undergo emergency surgery after an incident in a suburb of Edinburgh when the party turned into a brawl.

Friends and family of the teenager, named locally as Brett Lodge, have been left devastated.

Police insiders played down suggestions advertisement of the event via the social networking site led to the violence in the city’s Liberton area, insisting everyone who attended was invited on Facebook by a core group of friends planning the party.

A family friend said the party started in a house. According to the woman, a row erupted and teenagers at the party spilled into the street.

The friend added: “He is in a coma and his mum Gillian has been at his bedside since it happened. She is devastated. We hope Brett recovers.”

Neighbours told how there had been a huge disturbance when the party got out of hand.

Around 30 people were said to have been involved in the incident on a grass area next to the property in Claverhouse Drive.

The teenager was rushed to hospital suffering from extensive injuries, which meant he required emergency surgery. He was later put into a medically-induced coma.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s quite worrying that a Facebook party has taken place. I’ve read about them in the paper, but you don’t think it’s going to happen on your own doorstep.”

Another neighbour said the party started at about 6pm. She said: “The party just got rowdier and rowdier. There was a lot of shouting, but you could tell something was going on because there was a change of tone at around 8pm. It looks like it was a party gone wrong.”

The following day residents saw a grass area was cordoned off and police officers were searching in hedges. “There were also forensic officers in white suits and plain clothes police officers,” one householder added.

Tributes today (Thurs) poured in for the 17-year-old. One friend wrote online:

“How you meant to enjoy summer when one eh (sic) your best mates is laid up in hospital. “

And a series of postings dedicated to the teen on Facebook included one from mother Gill insisting her son will pull through.

A friend, also called Brett, posted that he hoped the youngster would pull through. Gill simply replied:

“He will Brett XX.’? “

Police are still investigating the incident. A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said four teenagers had been arrested and charged in connection with the attempted murder of a 17-year-old at 9pm on Friday, July 1.

“Anyone who witnessed the disturbance or has any other information that can assist our enquiries should contact police,” he added.

Declan Robertson, Andrew Parfinowski and Cameron McKail, all 16, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court along with a 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, earlier this week charged with attempted murder.

They made no plea or declaration and were released on bail.

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