Rucksack saved life of crash boy

Russell Steele • Published 12 Mar 2010 14:00

A NINE-YEAR-OLD who was hit by a car on his way home from school was saved from serious injury because of his rucksack.

Primary pupil Ryan Gray was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital with facial injuries after he ended up under the vehicle.

The incident happened outside Newark Primary in Port Glasgow at 3pm. Ryan, from Milton Road, ended up with bruises and scratches to his face.

His mum Angela today told how his rucksack saved him from further injury, as did the fact the car was going slowly.

She said: "I think he ran out on to the road and slipped when he saw the car coming by the roundabout, then it hit him.

"He had actually slid under the car a bit, but thankfully it had been going slowly. It sounds like his rucksack took the brunt of it."

Angela admitted she had a scare as Ryan's head teacher rang to alert her to the accident and a friend came to her door at the same time.

She said: "The headmistress was on the phone and then a neighbour came to the door.

"My friend said that Ryan was panicking a wee bit because although he was fine, a big crowd had gathered around him.

"I went straight down to the school and by that time the ambulance had arrived. They had him sitting on a chair and he looked fine, so it was a big relief."

Ryan was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital for a precautionary check-up.

The brave youngster is taking a well-deserved day off school today to recover from his ordeal.

His mum said: "They checked Ryan at the hospital in case there were any internal injuries but he was fine.

"His face is a bit of a mess though - it's all grazed and he has a swollen eye.

"I've told him it looks like he is going to have a cracker of a bruise to show off but he is taking today off anyway. I told him he's a very lucky boy."

Police today confirmed that there will be no charges made in relation to the accident.

Mum Angela said: "I think he ran out on to the road and slipped when he saw the car coming by the roundabout - then it hit him.

"He actually slid under the car a bit but, thankfully, it had been going slowly. It sounds like his rucksack took the brunt of it."

Angela admitted she had a scare as Ryan's head teacher rang to alert her to the accident and a friend came to her door at the same time.

She said: "The headmistress was on the phone and then a neighbour came to the door.

"My friend said Ryan was panicking a wee bit because, although he was fine, a big crowd had gathered around him.

"I went straight down to the school and by that time the ambulance had arrived. They had him sitting on a chair and he looked fine, so it was a big relief."

Ryan was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital for a precautionary check-up.

The youngster is taking a day off school today to recover from his ordeal.

His mum said: "They checked Ryan at the hospital in case there were any internal injuries but he was fine. His face is a bit of a mess though, it's all grazed and he has a swollen eye.

"I've told him it looks like he is going to have a cracker of a bruise to show off, but he is taking today off anyway. I told him he's a very lucky boy."

Police today confirmed there will be no charges made in relation to the accident.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 12 Mar 10

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