As mounting concern grows around the safety of mountain biking for children and teenagers, authorities have issued warnings and advice for riding safely. The alert follows an alarming increase in hospital presentations at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where young riders have suffered severe injuries, some nearly leading to paralysis.
According to data from the hospital, there has been a substantial increase in trauma cases related to mountain biking. Notably, in just the month of October, 14 children required urgent care for serious injuries. These incidents include cases where children sustained life-threatening injuries. Jack Evans-Wood, a 14-year-old mountain biker, suffered fractures to five spinal vertebrae, severely bit his tongue, and was placed in an induced coma. Elliott Senior, another teenager, fractured two cervical vertebrae, risking quadriplegia.
With mountain biking gaining prominence among youth sports, safety protocols have become increasingly critical. Chris Picton, the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, spoke about the importance of appropriate protective gear and responsible riding. He advised that high-quality protective equipment could significantly mitigate the risks of severe injuries.
“One harsh reality we need to accept is that while mountain biking is an exciting sport, it carries potential for serious injuries if not approached with caution,” said Picton. He suggested that during the festive season, parents consider purchasing robust protective gear alongside mountain bikes.
Dr. Meenu Shun, a spine surgeon from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Royal Adelaide Hospital, cautioned about the sudden rise in spine injuries among children. “With the festive season around the corner, likely more children will be receiving mountain bikes. It is crucial to understand the associated risks,” Dr. Shun advised. Treatment for spinal injuries can be intensive and prolonged, often requiring surgical intervention involving screws, rods, or plates to stabilize the bones.
In personal testimonies, both Jack Evans-Wood and Elliott Senior shared their traumatic experiences and the critical actions that helped prevent their situations from worsening. Jack said “I just got too much speed on my second jump and landed on my head. My friend Jackson was with me and told me not to move. He ran down to find some phone reception and called the ambulance and my mum.
“It was only when I got to the hospital that I realised I’d pretty much bitten my tongue off and was losing a lot of blood. They placed me in an induced coma for a day, and then after that, when they did the MRI scan, they could see I’d had multiple spine fractures. If I’d gotten up, moved, or walked after the accident, I could be paraplegic now.
“My friend Jackson saved my life and I want other people my age to know what they should do if they’re injured, or their friend is injured. People should be careful, wear the right helmet and if you fall, just stay still, and call the ambulance.”
Elliott’s story was similar. He shared, “I was in the wrong gear and didn’t have enough speed going into a jump so I knew that I wasn’t going to make it, but there was no time for me to get off the track.
“I ended up going over my bike, landing on my head and somersaulting forward back on to my feet. My whole body was tingling, and my neck hurt but I was upright, so I walked over to a bench and lay down. I called my parents because I was in shock, and I didn’t think I had hurt myself too badly. I was with a group of friends who stayed with me until I was picked up.
“It wasn’t until I got to the hospital and the x-rays and CT scans showed that I had broken two bones in my neck, that I realised it was pretty serious. Yeah, my whole life changed in that moment.
“My advice to all riders would be always ride with friends, make sure you wear protective gear and if you crash badly, remain still, and call an ambulance.
“Knowing what to do in these situations can save your life and ultimately keep you safe. Riding is for all ages and eventually I want to ride again, but this time I have a better understanding and greater respect for the dangers.”
Both survivors now stress the importance of wearing the right helmet, using appropriate gear, and understanding what to do immediately after an accident occurs.
To further assist in spreading awareness and detailed guidance on safe practices, the government has urged parents and guardians to educate their children about recognizing symptoms of significant injuries. Symptoms such as severe neck and back pain, numbness, or weakness in extremities are immediate red flags.
The advice from health professionals and affected individuals alike is clear: preparation and precaution are key in mountain biking. Ensuring that children wear the correct protective gear and are accompanied by someone capable of providing or seeking help can make a critical difference in the outcome of any unfortunate accidents.
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