Community

Boy transported by helicopter to Children’s Hospital after accident

Mar 28, 2011

141

At approximately 3 p.m. Saturday, Maricopa fire crews responded to a report of a car-bicycle accident involving a young boy in the 36000 block of West Alhambra St. When crews arrived on scene, they found a 10-year-old boy on the ground next to his bike. A witness on-scene stated that the boy fell off his bike to avoid a van and was knocked unconscious for approximately 45 seconds after he hit the ground.

The boy was awake, alert, talking and in stable condition when the first fire crew arrived on-scene. Fire department paramedics treated the boy and transported him via helicopter to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for further evaluation and observation at the trauma center.

This child avoided a serious head injury or even death today by making the right choice to wear his helmet as he rode his bike.

The Maricopa Fire Department wants this incident serves as a reminder to all about the importance of wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle, skateboard, in-line skates or recreational motorized vehicles. Helmets, when worn correctly like today, greatly reduces the risk of serious injury if an accident occurs.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states that each year more than a half a million bicyclist are treated in the emergency room for injuries. About half of the injuries to children under the age of 10 occur to the head and face.

Head injuries are the most common cause of death and serious disability in bicycle related accidents.

For more tips on helmet use visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website at: www.cpsc.gov

Photo courtesy of Maricopa Fire Department