It was a case of beginner's bad luck, rather than luck, for Max Maunder as he was rushed to hospital bleeding and in agony after the boomerang returned to him, and severed his nose from the cheek.

The injury was so severe that he had to have an emergency operation under general anaesthetic to help repair the damage and he had to have a number of stitches around his nose.

It has meant an unscheduled week off school for Max (9) who has been recuperating at the family home in Duff Street, Hopeman.

The Bishopmill Primary School pupil had been playing with the boomerang, which belongs to his friend Ollie Oatridge, in a field near his home at Mosstowie on Sunday when disaster struck.

Max was in pain and shock but his big brother Ben (12) took command of the situation, taking him from the field to summon adult help.

The youngster was rushed to Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin for treatment, where he was detained overnight. Concerned that there could be permanent scarring, he was referred to a plastic surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where the operation was performed on Monday morning.

Max's father, web developer Nick Maunder, said: "He was out in a field playing with some friends and his brother and they were messing around with a boomerang and seeing if they could work out how to use it.

"Max had a go and succeeded in getting it to come back – that is what they were designed for by native Australians – but as he saw it come back he tried to dodge it and ducked, but because it moves in a weird way he went right into the path of it, and it walloped him right on the nose.

"He ended up with a big cut to his nose and having to go to see a plastic surgeon in Aberdeen."

The boomerang did come back for Max Maunder – striking him on the nose with such force that he required an emergency operation. His brother Ben ducks for cover as Max gets his hands on the weapon again. NS

While feeling a "bit groggy" in the early part of the week, Max was keen to get back to normal – even wanting to return to play in the school soccer sevens this week.

However, Nick and his wife Jo, have been keeping a close eye on him.

Mr Maunder added: "The doctor said to keep him off school, as he cannot afford to hurt himself at all and they want to try and minimise the scarring.

"I wouldn't say that he is accident prone, but he lives on the edge, and this hasn't put him off, that's for sure.

"He can handle a boomerang, but maybe not for a bit – or with a helmet on!"

e.green@northern-scot.co.uk

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