A Scottish mum has called on other parents to ensure their children wear a helmet when riding a BMX after one saved her son’s life after he ‘face planted’ onto concrete.
Lesley Penman said that her son Mason Robertson avoided having his skull "cave in" due to a helmet that he was wearing while biking.
The young lad had to be rushed to A&E on Sunday May 14 where he underwent emergency surgery for his injuries.
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The nine-year-old was terrifyingly told by a maxillofacial surgeon at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, that they wouldn’t be standing with him on the ward if he hadn’t been wearing the basic headgear.
Since the accident, his family have shared images with the Daily Record that depict the injuries he suffered as they hope to persuade parents and kids to wear helmets when out on a scooter or bike.
Mum Lesley Penman, from Ballingry, Fife, said: “The maxillofacial surgeon said that the helmet saved Mason’s life. Where it hit the ground wasn’t directly on the forehead but was a little further back so his skull would have just caved in basically.
“He was midair when his foot slipped off the pedal and gravity just pulled him forward causing him to just face plant. From the noise made when he hit the ground, I knew instantly that he’d lost his teeth.
“His dad and I were sitting in the car when we heard this ear piercing scream that I’ll never forget. He’s never made a noise like that in his whole life and I don’t think he’ll ever make a noise like that again.
“He put his hand in front of his mouth as he stood up, he then took it away and saw all the blood so let out another scream. We were 200 yards along the road from the house so we stuck the teeth in milk and headed straight to accident and emergency.
“We were trying to figure out how many teeth he was missing but we couldn’t see because he’d split his lips and burst his nose so there was that much blood, it was impossible to tell. His front four teeth are all slack.
“One of them is chipped and his two front teeth are currently being held in place with cement, stitches and titanium plates. His two front teeth are broken very close to the root end so they’re very unsure whether or not they’ll bind together and stay in or whether they’ll just fall out.
"He’s on a soft food diet for the next six weeks. He’s been referred to a dental specialist who will be able to give us a better prognosis. "
She added: “I’m just so glad that I’m one of those parents that doesn’t let him go out on a scooter, bike or BMW without a helmet on his head.
“The surgeon said that if we could get one message across that it was the helmet that saved our son’s life. If he hadn’t been wearing it, we wouldn’t have been in an accident and emergency having his teeth put back in.
“In other words, it wouldn’t have been a very good outcome at all. His injuries are really scabby looking now and it looks like he’s got road rash right up his face. The swelling has gone down quite considerably apart from his top lip.
“His bottom lip is almost back to normal. He’s a lot more chatty and like himself today.” Despite his ordeal, daredevil Mason has already asked his parents when he can get back on his bike - but with a new, full face helmet.
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