TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A vocational high school student in Taichung sustained severe injuries after jumping from the second-floor bleachers and hitting his head on Monday (Oct. 21).

The incident occurred at a vocational high school in Taichung's South District, where a 16-year-old male student fell from the gym's second-floor bleachers under unclear circumstances, resulting in a head injury and loss of consciousness, per SET News. The school later clarified that the student was injured while attempting parkour.

According to the school, the student had just finished his third-period art class on the second floor of the activity center. After class, he climbed over the railing and began hanging from it with his arms.

His classmates attempted to stop him, but the student, mistakenly believing the drop was only one meter, proceeded to jump. He slipped during the jump, causing his head to hit the ground, resulting in unconsciousness.

At 11:02 a.m., the Taichung City Fire Department received a report of the incident, per K News. Two ambulances and five firefighters were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, paramedics found the student unconscious and rushed him to Taichung Hospital for emergency treatment.

A classmate who witnessed the fall explained that the student initially landed on his feet but slipped, causing the back of his head to hit the ground. Dr. Chen Li-wei (陳莉瑋), director of the emergency room at Taichung Hospital, said that the student arrived convulsing, bleeding from his mouth and nose, and had a Glasgow Coma Score of 7. He was immediately intubated to prevent airway obstruction.

The initial examination revealed no brain hemorrhage, but nosebleeds continued, and facial bone fractures had not been ruled out. No signs of pneumothorax or internal organ bleeding were found in his chest, abdomen, or cervical spine.

He remains in intensive care and is currently listed in critical condition.

The school principal noted that the student, originally from Taitung, was a member of the school’s sports class and served as a pitcher and outfielder. As part of his training, he primarily lived on campus.

His parents have traveled from Taitung to Taichung, while his grandparents, who reside in Taichung, were already at the hospital.