A MOTHER is urging children to wear cycle helmets after her son was critically injured when he was knocked off his bike by a car in west Hull. Kelly Morgan feared her son Daniel, 12, would die after doctors had to put him in a coma when they discovered he had fractured his skull.
Now, she is calling for legislation to make it compulsory for cyclists to wear helmets.
As her son is being cared for at the children's critical care unit at Hull Royal Infirmary, Ms Morgan said: "My son could have died. The nurses said if he was wearing his crash helmet his injuries would not be as bad.
"I would urge all parents to think before their kids go out on their bikes and make sure they are wearing safety helmets.
"This is the result of what can happen if they don't."
Daniel was cycling to the fishing tackle shop in Gipsyville from his home in Arcon Drive, west Hull, on Friday when the accident happened.
He was knocked off his bike in Rawcliffe Grove by a car travelling in the opposite direction at around 5.20pm.
Mrs Morgan said: "Daniel's friend came running in, saying a car had hit Daniel and he was bleeding from the head. All I could think was 'Was he alive? Is he OK?'.
"When I got to the scene, he was already in the back of the ambulance.
"He was bleeding, his clothes were all ripped and his face was covered in blood. He was screaming."
Daniel was rushed to Hull Royal Infirmary where doctors discovered he had suffered a large fracture to the back of his skull, a broken nose and a fractured cheek bone,
He also suffered a large cut to his leg, a cut mouth and bruising to his face and body.
Ms Morgan said: "He had started to have a fit and was vomiting. "There were 14 doctors around him. At that point, I thought the worst.
"You do think the worst. I thought he was going to die.
"The doctors came out to tell us they were going to put him in a coma. He was intubated and put to sleep. It was terrifying to see."
After assessing his condition overnight, doctors decided to wake Daniel on Saturday.
"His first words were 'Where's my mum'," said Ms Morgan.
"That was a huge relief.
"He is getting slowly better. He is lucky."
Daniel underwent surgery to his wrist where doctors inserted wires and he is facing further surgery and the prospect of weeks in hospital.
Ms Morgan said: "Daniel was riding without his helmet.
"It needs to be said to people to wear one, it is better to be safe than sorry."
"Daniel's brother Bobby would never wear a helmet. When he saw Daniel, he said he didn't ever want to go out on his bike without one again.
"I just want parents to make their kids think and get their helmets on."
The family now say they want to see the wearing of helmets made compulsory so other families do not have to go through what they have.
Ms Morgan said: "We have been thinking about this a lot since and I definitely think they should be compulsory.
"A lot of people we know have also said it should be law."
Daniel also wants to urge other children to wear helmets.
He said: "I would say to other children to wear safety helmets. Stay safe on the road and look out for cars."
Daniel, a pupil at Sirius Academy has been recovering with mum, dad, Paul, grandad Trevor and grandma Sharon by his bed.
Trevor said: "We want to thank the ambulance crew who were so efficient and all the staff here who have been fantastic, they really have been great."
Police investigating the accident are appealing for witnesses.
Anyone who can help should call police on 101 quoting log 506 of September 20.
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
• Emergency services updates and breaking news
