A SEVERE head injury to a 13-year-old BMX bike rider has prompted a stark reminder about wearing safety gear when taking part in street sports.

A SEVERE head injury to a 13-year-old BMX bike rider has prompted a stark reminder about wearing safety gear when taking part in street sports.

Stebbing teenager Stephen Irvine cracked his head on a pavement outside the Co-Op store in Great Dunmow whilst riding without a helmet.

He needed 54 stitches and minor plastic surgery.

However, things could have been a lot worse if best friend, 14-year-old Jacob Rice, had not been on hand to get help.

Jacob said: "There was blood everywhere and it was scary, but I knew what I needed to do after being taught by my sergeant in the Dunmow army cadet group."

Jacob managed to get help from passers-by, locate a phone to call 999, and then assist in patching up his friend before the ambulance arrived.

Mother Claire Rice is very proud her son's actions. "He did brilliantly. It was a bad accident and Stephen could have died.

"I just want this to go down as a message to all youngsters taking part in these sports - all of them should wear helmets whilst riding, skateboarding or anything like that. Whether in a car park, on a road or down at the skate park."

The accident happened on Sunday afternoon two weeks ago, and since being rushed to Broomfield Hospital with a gash on his forehead Stephen as made a good recovery.

All that remains is a five-inch scar.

He said that he remembers the events of that day well but that the accident has not put him off riding his bike in the future.

"I don't really remember it hurting that much," he said. "But it was really bad and I think there was a lot of blood. I am thankful for Jacob being there to help me and I hope that other kids will wear helmets after seeing what happened to me."

Mrs Rice also paid tribute to the people that stopped to help, she said it was good to see younger and older generations caring for each other.

"Kids often get a bad press," she said. "But it just shows how a community can come together when something bad happens. All of the youngsters who were around at the time were concerned and did all they could to help.

"And so did the six or seven adults who came over to see if they could do anything. I would really like to thank them all."

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