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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Charlie Duffield

Welsh boy, 5, rushed to A&E after headbutting bowl as dad teases him over World Cup

A boy from Wales found himself in A&E during this week's World Cup clash, as he bashed his head on a bowl in fury after being teased by his English dad.

Joel Towns, age 5, wanted Gareth Blake's side to do well against the Three Lions on Tuesday 29th November.

He was devastated when Marcus Rashford scored shortly after half-time, not helped by the fact his England-supporting dad Mark was ribbing him.

Joel tried to take his frustrations out on a sofa in their home in Plymouth, Devon, but unfortunately didn't realise a glass bowl was balancing on top, which he ended up head-butting and drawing blood.

Mark immediately took his son to hospital, so the entire family missed the end of the 3-0 win.

Bronwyn Towns, 28, and oldest son Joel, Wales supporters and Mark Towns, 35, and youngest son Leon, England supporters (Bronwyn Towns / SWNS)

Mum Bronwyn Towns, 28, said: "The first half was great - it was 0-0, and we were having fun.

"Then Rashford scored that free kick, and Mark was winding Joel up a bit, so he banged his head on the sofa in frustration.

"Suddenly there was blood everywhere, and we were in the car on the way to A&E - it was mayhem!"

Teaching assistant Bronwyn is Welsh while Mark, who is in the Royal Navy, was born in England.

The pair met in Wales and their first son, Joel, was born in Wrexham.

However, their second lad Leon was born in Plymouth six months ago - splitting the family down the middle.

Naturally, Tuesday's Group B grudge match was a big occasion in their household.

Joel Towns, age 5, wanted Gareth Blake's side to do well against the Three Lions on Tuesday 29th November (Bronwyn Towns / SWNS)

But after Rashford scored put the Three Lions ahead, Joel was unable to control his frustrations and banged his head against their sofa.

He didn't realise there was a china bowl balanced on top of the cushions, and rammed his head straight into it, giving himself a two centimetre deep gash on his forehead.

Joel burst into tears when he saw blood and, after a quick call to 111, Bronwyn and Mark drove him to Derriford Hospital.

There they had a six-hour wait while doctors assessed his injuries, and eventually glued together and stitched up his wound.

Bronwyn said: "Everything happened so quickly.

"One minute Mark was gently winding Joel up shouting 'goal, goal', and the next minute, he was crying with blood pouring out his head.

Bronwyn Towns, 28, and youngest son Leon, England fan. (Bronwyn Towns / SWNS)

"I have no idea why the bowl was on the sofa in the first place, but he must have ploughed his head right into it.

"We phoned 111 and they said to take him to hospital because he needed stiches to close up the gash in his head.

"I drove, and Mark held a towel on his head the whole way to stop the bleeding.

"When we got there, there was a big queue at A&E, and we had to sit and wait ages to be seen.

"Thankfully the doctors and nurses were amazing, and they managed to stich up the wound relatively easily.

"We eventually left the hospital at 2:30am, after what turned out to be a very difficult evening - and not just because of the scoreline!

"But rivalry aside, thankfully Joel is okay, and it's a story I'm sure we'll be telling for years to come."

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