Boy of 16 serious after park attack

John Paul Morrison, who is from Motherwell, suffered a head injury during the incident at Coronation Park in the centre of the village.

It happened around 1am on Monday. Park entrances in Jerviston Street and Park Street were cordoned off afterwards and police were still keeping guard this morning (Tuesday).

Two small white tents were set up in the park as forensic officers carried out an examination of the scene.

A police spokesman said: “A 16-year-old boy was seriously injured following a disturbance in the playpark. He was taken by ambulance to Wishaw General Hospital, but has since been transferred to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, suffering from a serious head injury.

“Medical staff describe his condition as serious but stable. Inquiries into the incident are continuing.”