A 10-year-old girl cheated death after she survived being crushed by a 3.5 tonne truck as she rode her new bike – because she was wearing a £30 cycling helmet.
Amy Darlaston was left screaming in agony when a JCB forklift truck ploughed into her as she was cycling along with pals in a field near her home.
The youngster was airlifted to hospital after the horror collision and was treated for a broken collarbone as well as cuts and bruises.
Mum Donna, 36, had recently bought her a £30 helmet to go with the £170 bike – which was left in three shattered pieces by the impact of the crash.
She said the helmet had undoubtedly saved her daughter’s life following the accident in Wigston, Leics., at 3pm on Tuesday (17/10).
The mum-of-three said:
“There is no doubt that the helmet saved my daughter’s life.
“The doctors at the hospital all said that if she had not been wearing that helmet, which was really badly damaged, her skull would have been crushed and she would have died.
“It is the best £30 I have ever spent.
“It was so traumatic to see Amy like that.
“She had blood on the right hand side of her head and you could see the smashed helmet.
“The helicopter landed in the field and she was taken in it to Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham.
“It was horrendous. I was beside myself.
“I needed to get to see my baby. I did not know if she was going to be alive or dead.
“They did x-rays and scans but suffered no serious head injury.
“I want to thank everyone who was so wonderful in helping Amy at every stage.
“She has a broken collarbone and a few bruises and grazes but otherwise sort of okay.
“We are happy to have her home and it’s the best place for her to be.
“I want every parent to read this and make sure they buy a helmet for their children.
“They are lifesavers – Amy is proof of that.”
Dad Andy, 48, said he received a phone call from a passerby who had found Amy’s mobile before he rushed to his daughter’s aid.
He drove to the scene to see his Amy being tended to by paramedics before she was airlifted to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre.
Andy, a warehouse worker, said: “We got a call at home and there was a woman on the other end.
“Before she had time to say anything I heard a bloodcurdling scream and knew it was Amy.
“I jumped in my car and got to the park. I just knew she would be up there.”
A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: “We received a report at 3.06pm of a collision involving a tractor and child.
“We have spoken to witnesses and the tractor driver and there is no further action to be taken.”
