The 7-year-old boy from Pottsville injured Thursday by a boulder is in a coma at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.
Michael "Mikey" Allen, a first-grade student at John S. Clarke Elementary Center, has not spoken to his family since the accident Thursday.
"He's not awake. He's in a medically induced coma," Bob Roos, 62, of Pottsville, his grandfather, said, adding he did not know when he will speak to his grandson again.
Since arriving at the hospital Thursday, Michael has had two surgeries because of his head trauma: one on Thursday and another Sunday.
"He is in the pediatric intensive care unit," Roos said.
The young, vibrant boy was injured by the large boulder behind the former Mount Hope School at 1515 Mount Hope Ave. Exact details of what happened are unknown.
"If we could ask Mikey, it would be really easy," he said.
The Schuylkill County Communications Center said the call came in at 6:26 p.m. that children were playing on a hill behind the school and grabbed a boulder, which apparently gave way. Allen was flown to the hospital and another child, a friend, suffered minor injuries.
The property at 1530 Mount Hope Ave. is owned by Jasser LLC, according to the online Schuylkill County Parcel Locator. The address is the same as Roos', who confirmed he owns the property.
A locked fence runs along the bank of the property. Roos said the children accessed the bottom of the property through the yards of other people.
"It was kids being kids, playing. Everybody wants sort of an answer," he said.
Roos said he saw his grandson playing basketball on the pavement before the accident occurred. Roos then went to a local hardware store to purchase something and had a missed phone call from his daughter, Serenity "Ren" Allen, at 6:18 p.m.
He drove back to the area and noticed emergency vehicles. After being told what happened, he rushed down to the bottom of the bank, which he estimated was a 65-foot drop, to see his grandson.
He talked to Michael and he opened an eye as if to acknowledge him, he said.
Emergency personnel, fire, police and Pottsville/Schuylkill Haven Area EMS were on scene and doing a tremendous job, he said.
Roos said he has been at the side of his grandson often since the accident. "His parents haven't left yet," he said of Serenity and John Allen.
The boy has two brothers, Tejay, 9, a student at the elementary center, and Andrew, 5.
"It's really rough because he's an active kid," Roos said.
It is too early to tell if there are any long-term complications because of the accident, he said.
"It's going to be a long, slow recovery," Roos said.
He said the community has been very supportive since the incident.
Jared Gerace, principal of John S. Clarke Elementary Center, said the school wishes nothing but good health for Michael.
"Our thoughts are definitely with Michael and his family at this time," he said.
Roos said Michael's teacher is Regina Freiler, a relative of his. She also visited him at the hospital, Roos said.
"I think it's more of a story of Mikey's survival right now," Roos said.
Those who want to send cards or such items may send them to 1530 Mount Hope Ave., Pottsville, care of Mikey.
Safety
Pottsville police Chief Richard Wojciechowsky said Monday officers responded to the scene to assist in any way possible.
Police are confident nothing criminal took place.
"It's not a criminal investigation," he said.
"This is a very tragic accident. For that reason, official police involvement is very limited," he said.
Todd March, Pottsville fire chief, also said Monday the accident was tragic.
"That's the first time we had that situation. I can't remember anything like this before," March said.