'He was covered in blood' - Boy who suffered fractured skull after bicycle accident saved by heroic police officer

A rookie police officer has been hailed a hero after rescuing a schoolboy who suffered a fractured skull in a horrific bicycle accident.
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The 11-year-old boy had lost control of his bike, ploughing through a hedge and plummeting 8ft into a large pond at Sunderland’s Barnes Park on April 17.

Student cop Ami Matthews who was enjoying a day off from her two-year course to become a fully-fledged Northumbria Police officer, was in the park at the time and sprang into action after witnessing the accident.

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Despite being just six weeks into her qualification, Ami, 29, rushed to help and was first on the scene as she put her new first aid training to good use.

The incident took place at Barnes Park in Sunderland. Image by Google Maps.The incident took place at Barnes Park in Sunderland. Image by Google Maps.
The incident took place at Barnes Park in Sunderland. Image by Google Maps.

Ami – who was inducted into the force in April – and members of the public in the park helped carry the injured youngster from the water before ringing 999.

She then contacted the boy’s parents and directed the crowd of people who had started to gather.

The boy suffered a fractured skull and eye socket as well as a broken collarbone and wrist in the incident.

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Former cinema management worker Ami said: “It all happened so fast – it must have been so scary for the lad.

“As soon as I saw it, I climbed down the drop and saw him covered in blood with his bike on top of him.

"It was just instinct – I couldn’t have just sat there and watched, and I’m really thankful to the other members of the public who were so quick to help.

“The most important thing is that he’s now OK.

"I’d actually only just completed a first aid module a couple of weeks earlier, so that definitely helped. The boy was so brave given the severity of his injuries.

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“I’ve since had a few text messages off his parents and that’s been really humbling.

"I’m sure they have so many other things on their mind, so for them to take the time to contact me updating how he is, it was very thoughtful of them.

“I wanted to join the police because my husband always says I can never turn a blind eye to anything, I always want to do the right thing and help people – but I didn’t expect this to happen so early into my policing journey!”

For Ami, the first 17 weeks of her policing induction will see her complete a range of modules on all aspects of policing including officer safety, public order and law.

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Then the rest of her two-year training will see her introduced on guided deployments, before fully qualifying as a PC to be based in South Shields.

Chief Superintendent Sarah Pitt, of Northumbria Police, said: “It was absolutely amazing to hear of Ami’s intervention and she should be incredibly proud of herself.

“It must have been a terrifying incident not only for the boy but also his parents. Ami showed her kindness and compassion by offering that much-needed reassurance while swiftly taking control.

“We are always determined to recruit extraordinary people who will bring the high standards we have all come to expect from Northumbria Police, and Ami’s certainly showcased those qualities already. We look forward to welcoming her to the team.”

Northumbria Police are currently recruiting for officers and detectives. Anyone interested in a career with the force should search ‘Northumbria Police careers’ to see all of the available entry routes.

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