AN 11-year-old boy who almost died after a trip to a playground returned to his school yesterday for the first time.

It was feared Kieran Snee might not survive after the incident in Darlington, in April, which prompted a police investigation.

However, yesterday Kieran showed he was well on the way to recovery and was back at Darlington’s Education Village to see his friends and have lunch with them.

Kieran fell into a coma after hitting his head at the playground in the Denes, in Darlington, after an encounter with a group of older youths.

For several days, there were concerns he might not regain consciousness after suffering severe bleeding on the brain.

A blood clot half the size of his brain had to be removed.

Yesterday, Kieran spoke of his delight at being able to rejoin his school friends.

“It’s amazing. I’ve been really looking forward to it,” he said. “I didn’t think it would happen so quickly.”

His family also said they were pleased at the speed of his recovery.

His uncle, Duane Snee, said: “It’s nice to see him back to his old ways after everything he’s been through.

“He’s been dying to get back to school. He wants to go faster than he’s capable of. It’s hard to slow him down.”

Jean Love, Kieran’s grandmother, said: “We thought he might not survive and now he’s up and walking after six weeks.

“He wanted to go back fulltime, but he’s not ready for that yet. He loves school and before this he had 100 per cent attendance.”

Police have said the incident in the park during which Kieran was injured was not an accident.

Kieran was playing on a swing with his cousin, tenyear- old Jay Bateman, when they were approached by the group of older youths.

A 16-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and a 15-year-old girl was arrested in connection with a public order offence.

The pair are to answer police bail this month.