Shropshire cyclist Tom, 13, saved by bike helmet in crash
A teenage mountain biker is thanking his lucky stars he was wearing his cycling helmet when he suffered a horrific crash in Shropshire.
Tom Heffer, 13, was on an off-road cycle as part of a summer scheme when, in the pouring rain, he hit a cattle grid and flew over his handlebars.
Within minutes first responders and paramedics were on the scene and Tom was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital where a trauma team were put on standby.
He was checked over, given scans, X-rayed and released within 24 hours.
But had it not been for his helmet, Tom knows it would have been a totally different story.
He said: "I don't really remember much of it. My helmet was really messed up, and without it, that would have been my head.
"I enjoy mountain biking because of the fun of going off-road, but I'd tell anyone riding a bike to wear a helmet now. It hasn't put me off, I'm going next week but I'll definitely always wear a helmet."
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And for Tom's family, the whole incident on August 12 was frightening.
His mother, Kylie, 41, of Marshbrook in Church Stretton, said: "I think I just went into auto pilot and went through the motions – I was the worried mum who stayed by his side all night in hospital until he was allowed to go.
"I was just so relieved he was wearing his helmet. I've always instilled in him how important it is to wear it, and it would be so different if he hadn't been."
She added: "They did think he might have a head injury to begin with because there was some blood from a cut on his chin that dripped down to his ear.
"The air ambulance couldn't get there because of the weather, so he was taken in an ambulance. Now he is just trying to fill the gap he's got in his memory about the incident. He enjoys mountain biking and only the day before we ordered a new helmet because he was just growing out of his."
Tom, who goes to Church Stretton School, has also thanked the passers-by who called emergency services, as well as the doctors and nurses who helped him on the day.
He said: "They helped get me out of hospital, and they even did things like helped me get some food when the canteen was closed, so I want to really thank them."
