YOUNG mountain bike rider Deegan Watson is back cruising the crater lakes trails just a handful of weeks since he escaped serious injury following a riding accident.
The 11 year old was thrown from his bike while attempting a jump during a Mount Gambier Mountain Bike Club ride in March, with South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS) paramedics Emily Stafford and Bek Cutting arriving to treat him.
During their assessment, the paramedics had to cut through Deegan’s brand-new DHaRCO long-sleeve jersey, which he had only purchased a week earlier while at a championship event.
Deegan was devastated his new top was ruined and in a touching gesture, Ms Cutting contacted the brand to organise a replacement garment for the young rider.
The two paramedics and Deegan reunited this week where he was presented with a new DHaRCO jersey – donated by the brand – with the 11-year-old revealing he was already back on the bike.
Deegan’s mother Amanda Watson said her son was shattered after the jersey was cut, stating it was his first proper ride wearing it.
Recalling the accident, Ms Watson said Deegan had been down the trail hundreds of times but something went pear-shaped on this descent.
Ms Watson said she was incredibly grateful for the service provided by both Ms Stafford and Ms Cutting, who reassured her and her husband at the time.
“As a parent, you never like to see your child like that and it was very scary,” she said.
“He looked very injured and he could not remember anything and did not know where he was.
“We spent a couple of days in hospital but he was extremely lucky considering how serious it was.”
Back riding the same track and already mastering the jump he failed to land, Ms Watson said the accident had not stopped her son from doing what he loved.
SAAS clinical team leader Sandra Jones said the Mount Gambier Mountain Bike Club members with Deegan at the time of the accident did a great job before paramedics arrived.
“They had done all the right things, they kept him still, made sure he was comfortable and safe while also using all their basic first aid skills,” Ms Jones said.
“It was brilliant as it made everything easier when the paramedics arrived to do their job.
“It was tricky too because it had just started to get dark on the side of the mountain and they were also off the track a little, but the directions given made things as easy as possible.”
Ms Jones said she was incredibly proud of the SAAS team and had the utmost confidence no matter which crew member treated Deegan, he would be in good hands.
