Crash: Miracle survivor of ‘a mum’s worst nightmare
Published: September 14, 2006
THE SHAKEN mum of a scooter rider who escaped death by inches after being trapped under a double decker bus has expressed her heartfelt thanks to the quick-thinking driver, emergency services and kind passengers who rushed to his aid.
Susan Greengrass called the accident a “mother’s worst nightmare” and said the family were counting their blessings that the outcome hadn’t been bleaker.
As reported in the ET on Monday, 17-year-old Andrew Greengrass became wedged under the Citi1 Stagecoach bus, after falling from his scooter, narrowly missing being crushed by the vehicle’s front wheels.
Doctors said he was lucky to be alive as he was able to sit up and chat with hospital staff who treated him for minor cuts, bruising to his shoulder and a dislocated kneecap just moments later.
He is back at home, but still in a state of shock and pain, Mrs Greengrass said.
Andrew’s mum today praised the speedy reaction of the stunned bus driver and the reassuring words of an off-duty paramedic, who held her son’s hand as he lay helpless on the road.
She said: “If it wasn’t for the quick reaction of the bus driver, Andrew wouldn’t be here. I also want to thank everybody who helped – the firemen, paramedics police, everyone.
“He was coming round the roundabout going past the bus but then he lost it. He tried to put his foot down to steady himself and found himself under the bus. He can’t remember much after that.”
Ironically, the housewife from Campion Drive, Deeping St James, was caught up in the tailback that had built up after emergency services put roadblocks in place following the accident, but had no idea her son was involved.
She said: “I was in the car with my mum in the queue that had been held up going into town. I saw a police car and ambulance but didn’t think anything of it. I happened to turn my head and saw Andrew’s scooter. I told my mum, but she said it couldn’t be him as he wouldn’t be in Peterborough.
“But then my husband called and told me what had happened and we did a U-turn, went back to the police van and took him to hospital.”
She described her initial shock at seeing Andrew, as his skin had turned blue because the weight of the massive bus had stopped him from breathing. His helmet strap had also been frighteningly close to choking him.
Mrs Greengrass, who is married to Andrew’s dad Dennis (49), said despite the ordeal he had suffered, the adventurous teenager, whose passion for bikes sprung from his love of BMXs as a boy, is raring to get back in the saddle once he has fully recovered.
Mrs Greengrass revealed that Andrew, a former Deepings School pupil, had only passed his motorcycle test just four weeks previously.
She spoke proudly of how the trainee garage door fitter at Midland Garage in Fengate was showing remarkable spirit, even though the last few days had been a whirl of hospital visits and a battery of tests.
She said: “He is lucky to be alive.
“No one at hospital could quite believe he was sitting up and telling his tale.
“He wants to get back on the bike, but I would rather he didn’t. To think what could have happened if the bus had been a couple of inches nearer. It’s a mother’s worst nightmare.”
Dennis said his son couldn’t thank the off-duty paramedic who had stayed by his side enough.
He said: “He didn’t want her to go and he has been talking about how she comforted him. He is still in shock so he hasn’t said a great deal. He can’t believe he’s still here.”
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