Dad to launch cycle helmet safety campaign after son saved from almost certain death

An 11-year-old boy would almost certainly have been killed if he hadn’t been wearing a cycle helmet when he was involved in a freak accident at Lymm, riding home from school.

While villagers have rallied with a fund-raising appeal for Alfie Chadwick, his dad Stephen is now highlighting the importance of wearing a helmet and planning to launch a safety awareness campaign.
He said: “On Thursday 18th March Alfie set off on his bike from his school, Oughtrington primary, along with his brother homebound, a journey he has taken many many times.
“As they came to a very narrow footpath on Rushgreen road in Lymm next to the Co-op shop, Alfie tried to stay close to the fence as much as possible due to heavy traffic.
He clipped the fence with his handlebars and was propelled towards the road and traffic where he met with a delivery van. The contact which was made with the vehicle was massive, his helmet taking all of the force.

“He rebounded back onto the small pavement in a heap with blood pouring from a head injury under his helmet.
“Emergency services were extremely quick to get to the scene and people nearby helped with Alfie who by this point was extremely distressed. He has quickly whisked away to a major trauma unit with broken helmet in hand. After having a CT scan the medics found that there was a depressed skull fracture. Since then he has been in theatre having his skull literally put back together which would never have been possible if it weren’t for his helmet. I cannot stress enough how important they are, maybe they do look uncool or friends take the micky but I’d rather have that than him dead.
“He is now on a very long road of recovery.
“I have just come off a FaceTime video with him and I wish I could have shared it, he was in floods of tears saying “dad, my helmet saved my life”
“We are going to start a campaign which increases awareness, if it saves one life then it’ll all be worth it. Please share this message far and wide.”
Local resident Nicholas Franklin, who lives on Springbank Gardens near the scene of the accident has launched a crowd-funding appeal to help buy Alfie a new bike and helmet, whch has already brought in more than £1,000 from kind-hearted villagers.
He said: “I live on Springbank Gardens just next to where the incident happened and arrived home yesterday to see all the police tape, ambulances and school kids clearly upset at the side of the road.
I thought it would be great to seek help from the community to raise funds so the family can get Alfie a new bike & helmet.
“A school friend of mine in the early 90s died when he was knocked off his bike and sadly wasn’t wearing a helmet. This incident brought it all back to me.
“While we are on the subject – Parents – please get your kid a helmet. It genuinely did save his life in what is being described as a freak accident.
Some teenagers might not think wearing one is cool. To them – I urge you to read this post!
Donations for the fundraiser can be made via https://www.gofundme.com/f/alfie-chadwick-lymm-new-bike-after-accident