Brave Riley

The biggest lesson from the holiday was being reminded of the saying “your world can change in a split second.” It happened to us when our granddaughter was hit and pinned under a car in the Whangamata supermarket on her 11th birthday.

We sat in disbelief while Riley was being treated at the Thames Hospital, but we were one of the lucky families as she is now on track for a full recovery from bumps, bruises, burns and broken teeth. Our world changed in a split second and reminded me that we are all guilty of thinking “it won’t happen to me”. It can and the best we can do is to be prepared -make sure you have things in place for loved ones. The cost now is minimal compared to the cost it can be when your world changes in that split second.

This is what her Dad had to say…

Amazing to see our gorgeous daughter, Riley, smiling after a tough few days. Riley’s 11th birthday went horribly wrong when a learner driver accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake driving up onto the footpath hitting Riley off her scooter, running over the top of her and trapping her under the car.

A massive thank you to all of the anonymous hero’s at the scene who rushed to help and physically lifted the car off Riley. By some miracle, and thanks to her wearing a helmet, she escaped with no broken bones or head injuries. She has some nasty bruises and burns and they already starting to heal.

Our special thanks to paramedics Dave and Darren who attended to Riley at the scene. To police officers Jack and Greg who have been incredibly supportive. To the Thames Hospital team, Tony, Abi, Kalti and others who patched up our little girl. To Nurse Sharon for her ongoing care.

Thanks to our amazing families and friends who have sent us so much love and support.

To Riley, you have been a simply amazing individual in how you have coped with such a harrowing ordeal. You have not complained once and your resilience is simply incredible.

Paula and I are just so grateful that our gorgeous girl can be celebrating with friends today.