“A manager at the centre ignored the concerns of a guard and refused to allow Tharunicaa to be taken to hospital for over five hours, despite the fact that she vomited soon after being struck on the head,” Ms Fredericks said. Tharunicaa was eventually rushed to hospital after vomiting a second time. She was returned to the detention centre about 5.30am on Friday, but her parents noticed later that day that she was having trouble walking and her coordination was off. She was taken to hospital again in the afternoon, this time for scans. The family and supporters are now waiting for news of her condition.

"We're all praying and hoping she's okay," Ms Fredericks said. "Yesterday she was throwing up and today with the coordination... the concern is that something has happened inside, internally." Tharunicaa has rotting teeth. Credit:Picture: Rebekah Holt In the 16 months since the family has been in Broadmeadows, after they were transferred from their home in Bileola, Queensland, Tharunicaa and her three-year-old sister Kopika have suffered a slew of health issues including decaying teeth, vitamin D deficiencies and behavioural issues. Tharunicaa still requires surgery to address serious dental damage related to vitamin deficiency and malnutrition suffered in detention as her teeth were developing, Ms Fredericks said. Freelance New Zealand journalist Rebekah Holt, who has regularly covered issues relating to asylum seekers, recalled receiving a call from Priya and another asylum seeker woman, Huyen Thu Thi Tran, at about 10pm on Thursday.

Priya was hysterical. "They were really worried and even though Tharunicaa had settled they said they felt there was swelling on her face." Worried they were not receiving appropriate advice inside the centre, Ms Holt, a qualified psychotherapist, told them to watch out for vomiting, a symptom of injury. The fact that Tharunicaa's parents would turn to a journalist for help when something went wrong showed the flaws in the system, Ms Holt said. "The parents were so distressed that they called me late at night because they weren't getting the help they need from the staff," she said. "It's just nuts."

Having visited Broadmeadows centre numerous times, Ms Holt said she was not surprised that an accident had occurred. "I wasn't surprised when I heard there as an unsecured heavy item because it's a space that's designed for adults," she said. "The activity room where the blackboard fell on her, none of that was designed as an area that small children or children are meant to be in." She said she was told the guards refused to let Tharunicaa's parents take a photo of the blackboard. Ms Frederick called on the government to release the family from detention.