The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Helmet plea as fall from bicycle leaves boy on life support
APer thsh ire schoolboy is fighting for his life in hospital after a bicycle accident. Keiran Lamond, 14, from Blairgowrie, wasn’t wearing a helmet when he fell off his bike last Thursday.
A passerby s aw the accident happen and gave him first aid at the scene while she waited for an ambulance to arrive.
He was taken to Ninewells Hospital where surgeons removed three blood clots from his brain.
The youngster was still in intensive care yesterday, where he is being kept under sedation in order to give him the best chance of survival.
His family say he owes his life to the woman who helped him at the scene and the medical teams who are caring for him now.
Friends have launched a fundraiser to support his parents Nicola and Greig with transport costs from their home to the hospital and other necessities.
Sara Airoud – a close family friend and neighbour – said it was an anxious time for Keiran’s loved ones.
“Even though the ambulance reached him in about five minutes, we didn’ t think he would survive his fall,” she said.
“We do not know how damaged Keiran’s body will be – only time can tell.
“But what we do know is if it wasn’ t for the immediate reactions by the first person on the scene, and the amazing medical attention he received, Keiran would not be here.”
On arrival at Ninewells hospital, Keiran was given a CT scan before having three blood clots removed from his brain.
He was moved to the intensive care unit, where his family were told the next few hours would be critical.
Sara said his parents were “told to prepare for the worst”.
She said: “T he little fighter that Keiran is has managed to hold on.
“Currently he is still in intensive care, and he has had to have his lungs drained of fluid af ter swallowing blood and sick.
“He is sedated to try give his body a fighting chance.
“Doctors are working round the clock to keep him alive but we believe he can do it.
“He is a fighter but he needs as much support as he can.”
Sara said Keiran had been returning from an errand to the shops when the accident happened and his family hoped the accident would serve as a warning to other cyclists to always wear a helmet – even on short journeys.
“Keiran was not wearing a helmet on the night of his accident – if he was his injuries may not have been life threatening,” she said.
“If we can get the message through to just one person then we can rest easy.”
Donations to the crowdfunder can be made on the JustGiving page.