Doctors say a young Learmonth girl’s bicycle helmet saved her life when she was struck by a car only weeks after her mum told her off for riding without one.
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An emotional Shirlene Laurie on Friday told The Courier her daughter Justyce Taylor was recovering in the Royal Children's Hospital after her brush with death when she was hit on High Street in the town on June 21.
The brave 10-year suffered critical injuries including a fractured skull, broken shoulders, broken ribs, a punctured lung and deep wounds on her legs.
Ms Laurie was at work when she received the type of phone call that is every parent’s worst nightmare.
“My mother-in-law rang me and said Justyce has been hit by a car – it took five minutes before I knew she was even alive,” she said.
But it could have been much worse.
Justyce had been riding her bicycle just before dinner when she skidded on wet grass and accidentally veered onto the road before a car struck her at 80km/h.
The driver stopped to help along with two off-duty paramedics who were driving past.
Ms Laurie arrived and embraced her daughter as the roar of an ambulance helicopter descended upon them.
They were flown to the Royal Children's Hopistal, where doctors looked at Justyce’s fractured skull and said she would have been killed if she had not been wearing a helmet.
Ms Laurie choked back emotion as she urged all parents to ensure their children wear helmets, saying she had previously told Justyce off for not wearing one and temporarily took away her bike as a lesson.
“Please wear your helmets,” she said.
“That’s what saved her. If she didn’t have her helmet we wouldn't be having this conversation.
“The first thing she said to me was thank you for making me wear my helmet.
"She is totally amazing and strong.”
The driver of the car was treated at the scene for shock and assisted police with their inquiries.
It is believed he was not at fault in the crash.
Justyce’s injuries come just weeks after a string of bicycle crashes in Ballarat last month, including three in the one week.
The driver of the car was treated at the scene for shock and assisted police with their inquiries.
It is believed he was not at fault in the crash.
Justyce’s injuries come just weeks after a string of bicycle crashes in Ballarat last month, including three in the one week.
Ballarat police officer Ken Birch was off duty and cycling on Webster Street when he was struck by a reversing car.
“It’s not them against us,” Mr Birch said.
“We’re all on the roads together and we all want to get home safely.”
Ms Laurie made a heartfelt thanks to community members, emergency workers and medical teams at the Royal Children’s Hospital who helped Justyce.
“All the support is just so overwhelming,” she said.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s the best hospital in the world.”
