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‘Miracle boy’ Trenton McKinley, 13, wakes up after being declared brain dead and parents agreed to donate organs

Trenton McKinley has been described as a “miracle boy” (Picture: Jennifer Reindl/Facebook)
Trenton McKinley has been described as a “miracle boy” (Picture: Jennifer Reindl/Facebook)

A 13-year-old boy declared brain dead has astonished doctors by waking up a day before his life support was due to end.

Trenton McKinley suffered severe brain trauma when the car trailer he was riding in flipped over and fell on his head in Mobile, Alabama, in March.

He suffered seven skull fractures and doctors told his parents he would not recover and that his organs were a match for five children who needed them.

But after his parents had signed organ donation documents, and a day before his life support was set to be turned off, Trenton began showing signs of awareness.

His life support had been due to be switched off (Picture: Jennifer Reindl/Facebook)
His life support had been due to be switched off (Picture: Jennifer Reindl/Facebook)

His mother, Jennifer Reindl, said that since waking up he has undergone a number of craniotomy surgeries, and has suffered kidney failure and cardiac arrest.

She said that at one point her son had died on the operating table for 15 minutes.

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Ms Reindl said she signed the organ donation papers when she found out her son’s organs could save five other children.

“We said yes, that also ensured that they would continue to keep Trenton alive to clean his organs for the donation,” she told CBS News.

“The next day he was scheduled to have his final brain wave test to call his time of death, but his vitals spiked so they cancelled the test.”

She called his recovery “a miracle”.

The 13-year-old is making a slow recovery (Picture: Jennifer Reindl/Facebook)
The 13-year-old is making a slow recovery (Picture: Jennifer Reindl/Facebook)

Trenton said of the accident: “I hit the concrete, and the trailer landed on top of my head. After that, I don’t remember anything.”

He will need surgery to reconnect half of his skull and has been suffering nerve pain and seizures.

However, he has been talking and walking, as well as reading and doing maths.

The family have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help cover the teenager’s medical expenses.