Horror fall of youngster on family cycle ride

Nov 29 2009 by Rob Pattinson, Sunday Sun

“He had grazes and lacerations all over the top part of his face, from his nose up to his forehead and around his eyes.

“I suppose I thought the same as everyone when I saw the Air Ambulance, ‘right this is quite serious then’.

“It’s impossible not to be concerned when you see your boy being strapped into the back of an air ambulance, but at least I was with him. You have mixed feelings because you know it could be serious, but at the same time he’s in the best possible hands.

“I knew he was breathing and screaming so I was happy about that.”

The Air Ambulance transferred Luca to Lancaster Hospital, where his mum Julie, 49, met them.

After initially deciding to wait a day before operating surgeons decided it was vital to get the youngster into theatre before the damage to his face became too swollen.

“They wanted to get all the grit and stones out, then clean him up and sort the rip in his nose and cuts out. The scans on his head and spine showed there was no damage there.

“It was extremely difficult for his mum and me. It was obviously very emotional. When he came out of theatre his face was just black and blue, he didn’t look like Luca at all. It’s a really difficult thing for a parent to see and you want to protect your child from anyone else seeing them like that.”

The next day Luca was back at home. A week later he was back at school. And just a month after the horror fall he was back on his mountain bike, playing with brother Louis, now 10.

Two years on and Luca is eight and the accident is firmly behind him. Paul said: “He’s always been fearless, so I was worried he’d lose that get-up-and-go to do things, but he’s just been fine.

Having experienced the swift and skillful care provided by the Air Ambulance, the Ross family understand as well as being a crucial life-saving service, the medics can ease suffering and help ensure a full and speedy recovery.

“I think it’s important to realise no one knew how badly injured Luca was inside. He obviously had terrible injuries to his face, but he could easily have had breathing problems, or a head injury.

“The Air Ambulance was extremely important. Everyone who lives in a remote location like ours realises it can mean the difference between life and death, but it can also be really important for easing suffering.”