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Boy's Bike Helmet Shielded Him From Falling Pole

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 31, 2008

Updated: 01/31/2008 12:14 am

LARGO - Sometimes it pays to wear a bicycle helmet even if one is not riding a bicycle.

Largo police say a helmet likely saved the life of a 12-year-old boy when a pole fell on his head at a school crossing Tuesday. The boy was holding his bicycle and waiting for crossing guards to guide him and his Largo Middle School peers at Eighth Avenue Southwest and Ridge Road, police said.

Nearby, a Chevrolet truck was backing into a parking space at a Fifth Third Bank when its brakes failed, police Lt. Mike Loux said. The truck jumped a curb, crossed a stretch of grass and struck a pedestrian-crossing signal pole, causing it to fall on the 12-year-old boy's head, Loux said.

The boy fell, smacking his face on the pavement, with the pole on top of him.

A school crossing guard lifted the pole off the boy and stayed at his side until paramedics arrived, Loux said.

The boy was flown to a hospital for treatment and is in stable condition, Loux said.

The child has a wound on his neck, minor facial injuries and a concussion. The bicycle helmet likely saved his life, Loux said.

The driver of the truck was cited for having improperly maintained brakes, Loux said.

The resource officer at Largo Middle School is expected to give the boy a certificate honoring him for wearing the bicycle helmet, along with a new helmet, Loux said.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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