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Whitby bike accident sparks helmet warning
A WHITBY mother is urging parents to make sure their children wear helmets after her son suffered a head injury at the town's skate park.
Jack Stewart (13) of Pannal Close was on his BMX bike, without wearing a helmet, on Wednesday, when he went flying over the handlebars and hit his head on the concrete.
He was knocked unconscious and had to be taken by ambulance to Scarborough Hospital, where he was monitored overnight and also treated for a broken kneecap, a broken tooth and a big cut above one eye that needed several stitches.
Now the Caedmon School pupil is resting up at home.
His mum Kerry Stewart (37) is relieved that Jack's head injuries have not left long-term damage, but wants to take the opportunity to warn other families how important wearing a helmet is.
"I think someone could end up killed or seriously injured if we, as parents, don't take responsibility," he said.
"I would hate this to happen to someone else. Seeing my son covered in all that blood was horrendous."
The skate park has been a popular spot for Jack and his friends to go to since it opened in 2008 and Mrs Stewart does not want the accident to stop them having fun.
She said: "It is good for them and there is nowhere else in Whitby for them to go.
"But it is concrete and so they should be wearing helmets."
Jack and his friends often visit the skate parks in Redcar and Middlesbrough which are supervised sites and so helmets are compulsory.
However, Mrs Stewart said at Whitby's skate park it is up to parents to make sure the youngsters keep safe.
Jack, a keen member of the Friendship Rowing Club, said he will definitely not go to the skate park again without wearing a helmet.
He said: "I have been quite shaken up by it, and I think how much worse it could have been.
"All I remember from the accident is going over the handlebars of my bike and the next thing I knew the paramedics were putting me into the ambulance.
"Next time, when I get back on my bike, I will wear a helmet and I will try and encourage all my friends to do the same."
Borough and county councillor Joe Plant has asked users of the skate park to take note of the sign which tells them that protective gear must be worn.
He said: "I encourage youngsters who use the skate park to use proper safety equipment and I ask parents use common sense, take responsibility and help enforce this.
"People have worked hard to make the Whitby Skate Park dream come true and we do not want accidents to ruin this.
"If an accident can be prevented with safety gear then we want kids to be using it."
Roger Burnett, Scarborough Borough Council's parks and countryside manager said: "We are very sorry to hear of this unfortunate incident and sincerely hope that the young boy has a speedy recovery from his injuries.
"The incident highlights that this sort of recreational activity is not without its risks, and we would urge all skate park users to wear helmets at all times when using the facility for their own safety."
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Weather for Whitby
Saturday 19 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North
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