Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Mother thanks helpers after son’s moped crash
The mother of a teenager injured in a moped crash has praised the passers-by and medics who raced to the scene to save him.
Tim Playfair was riding along Staines Hill, Sturry, last Friday when he was hit by a lorry.
The 16-year-old was thrown into the air, breaking his wrist and leg.
But witnesses at the scene kept him warm and held his hand until help arrived.
His mother Kelley, of New Dover Road, recalls the heartstopping moment she received a phone call from a stranger to say Tim had been involved in an accident.
She said: “We got there but the police wouldn’t let the car through but they kept saying he was conscious and breathing.”
An ambulance arrived and he was rushed to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
There he received a blood transfusion and remained under observation for five days. His mum, a Slimming World consultant, said: “I want to thank those who stopped to help him. I dread to think what may have happened if he had not been wearing protective clothing.”
Kelley says the medical support Tim received was outstanding. She said: “The NHS gets a lot of criticism but I could not fault them. The trauma team were brilliant.”
She also paid tribute to her family: “I have been blessed,” she explained. “His sisters have been doing all the housework and looking after the animals – making sure every- thing was OK.” Remarkably, the family are no strangers to such incidents.
Tim’s older brother Lawrence, 19, broke his tibia after coming off his moped on St Lawrence Road last year.
“It wasn’t as bad as Tim’s accident but he did have complications after,” said his mum.
Following in his brother’s footsteps, Tim took his basic motorcycle training days after his 16th birthday.
The keen hockey player said of the crash: “The last thing I remember is a lorry coming at me.
“When I came around there were people doing their best to keep the pain away until the ambulance arrived.
“My mum and dad said that if I hadn’t been as fit and healthy as I am I might be dead. There must be a guardian angel looking over me.”
The St Anselm’s pupil, who is taking his GCSES this year, said teachers at his school had been very supportive as he continues on the road to recovery. He also wants to get back on his moped – but vows to take it easy.
He added: “I will wait to build up my confidence again after I have recovered.”