HELMET SAFETY
The Safety Council of Southwestern Ohio reports between January and Sept. 16 of this year there were 16 reported fatalities in Ohio involving adults and children on bicycles. Last year, there were 18 reported fatalities in Ohio involving adults and children on bicycles.
Officials said most injuries occur in the 11 to 15 age group.
“Everyone — adults and children — should wear bicycle helmets each time they ride. Helmets are the single most effective way to prevent head injuries resulting from bicycle crashes,” said Joslynn Pretty, a safety educator from the Safety Council of Southwestern Ohio.
Officials said helmets reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by 88 percent, yet only 45 percent of children 14 and younger usually wear a bike helmet.
A 10-year-old boy who suffered a serious brain injury after falling off his gasoline-powered bike Oct. 2 has made a “miraculous recovery” and is expected to return to school for a few hours each day this week.
Landen Runnells lost control of his bike and crashed after he hit a crack in the sidewalk in the 1600 block of North Marshall Road, according to Middletown Police Lt. Scott Reeve. Runnells was flown to Dayton Children’s Medical Center for treatment.
Runnells’ parents were across the street when the accident happened and quickly rushed to help their son. Runnells’ mother, Beth, said Landen’s helmet was “sitting in the garage” at the time of the accident.
“As parents we didn’t enforce the helmet issue because you never think this is going to happen to you, but we were wrong,” she said.
“Landen wants all his friends to wear helmets because he doesn’t want anyone to go through what he has the past month,” Beth Runnells said. “We have our Landen back and couldn’t be happier. He is a miracle. He said he wasn’t sure when he would get back on his mini bike, but one thing he would have would be a helmet on his head.”
Landen’s doctors are optimistic he will make a full recovery. According to a police report, Landen was in the ICU for several days to “monitor the swelling in his brain.”
“He had fairly serious head injuries and was in a coma a few days after the incident,” Reeve said.
Landen was released from the hospital Oct. 29.
“He will continue therapy three times a week until they feel the left side of his body is as strong as the right side,” Beth Runnells said. “He had no broken bones, but the whole left side was affected.”
Before heading home Oct. 29, Beth Runnells made a slight detour — taking Landen to John XXIII Catholic Elementary School, where dozens of his friends were waiting to greet him.
“We were so excited,” said Alicia Carter, Runnells’ fifth-grade teacher. “I know tears came to my eyes as we saw the car pull up. We absolutely missed him.”
“We have had overwhelming support from everyone, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts,” Beth Runnells said.
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