Wirral student in critical condition after university prank goes wrong

Nov 3 2010 by Laura Jones, Birkenhead News

A PROMISING student from Wirral suffered severe head injuries after a university prank went wrong.

Former Birkenhead School student and Leeds University fresher Benedict Cadwallader, 19, is in a critical but stable condition in Leeds General Infirmary following the student prank.

Reports from fellow students suggested play-fighting and forfeit games may have got out of hand on October 20 when the teen was injured.

It is believed he was hurt after a night out in the city centre, with police called to halls of residence at 2am.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police received a report of a 19-year-old student being injured in an incident at Devonshire Hall student accommodation, in Headingley.

“Two 19-year-old students were arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail pending further inquiries.”

Mr Cadwallader studied as a pupil at Birkenhead School, in Oxton, but went on to attended sixth-form at the prestigious Ampleforth College boarding school, in York, before then joining Leeds university this year.