Sussex teenager back on his bike months after suffering serious head injuries

A 14-year-old Sussex cyclist who suffered potentially life-threatening injuries in a serious bike crash has returned to riding just months later.

Adem Murphy-Farah was riding at Hove Pump Track on 5 May when he was thrown from his bike, suffering a brain haemorrhage, multiple facial fractures and losing two teeth.

Emergency crews from South East Coast Ambulance Service were sent to the scene and provided urgent treatment before Adem was taken to hospital.

He spent just over a week at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, much of it in intensive care.

Despite the seriousness of his injuries, Adem is now recovering well and has already returned to doing what he loves most — riding his bike.

South East Coast Ambulance Service says his experience highlights the important role helmets and other protective equipment can play in reducing the risk of serious injury.

Critical Care Paramedic Ben Spashett, who attended the incident, said: "Adem had suffered some significant injuries, so it was important that he received the right treatment quickly. Seeing him back on his bike and doing so well was fantastic and reminds us why we do this job.

“His helmet undoubtedly took some of the force of the impact and highlights the difference protective equipment can make in helping reduce the risk of serious head and brain injuries, which are among the most serious injuries cyclists can experience in a crash."

Research using NHS England data from more than 11,000 injured cyclists found helmet use was associated with a significant reduction in severe traumatic brain injury.

Among those studied, 47.6% of cyclists who were not wearing a helmet suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, compared with 19.1% of those who were wearing one.

SECAmb says that while Adem was riding on a purpose-built pump track rather than a road, a full-face helmet could have provided additional protection, particularly to his face.

Adem, his family and the ambulance service are now encouraging cyclists to choose protective equipment appropriate for the type of riding they do.

As part of his recovery, Adem recently visited SECAmb’s Brighton Make Ready Centre to meet some of the crews who cared for him following the crash.

He was reunited with Student Paramedic Mia Calvo, Paramedics Eleanor Walsh and Adam Lamb, Associate Ambulance Practitioner Emily Smith, Emergency Medical Advisor Gemma Firman and Critical Care Paramedic Ben Spashett.

Mia said: "I'll always remember looking after Adem because of the seriousness of his injuries and the fact I ended up becoming responsible for one of his missing teeth. It was brilliant to see him again; hear how well he's doing and know that he's been able to get back to riding his bike."

Adem also thanked those involved in his treatment.

He said: "I don't remember much about what happened, but I've been told how many people helped me that day. It was really nice to meet everyone and thank them in person. I'm grateful for everything they did for me and I'm happy to be back riding my bike again."

His mum, Eimear, added: "It was every parent's worst nightmare getting the call that Adem had been seriously injured. The care and compassion shown by everyone involved, from the call handlers to the ambulance crews and hospital staff, was amazing. We will always be grateful for everything they did for our son."

One item was missing from the reunion — the helmet Adem was wearing at the time of the crash, which could not be returned to him.

SECAmb says no item of safety equipment can completely prevent injury, but Adem’s experience demonstrates how helmets can help reduce the risk of serious head and brain injuries.

For the crews who treated him, seeing Adem healthy, active and back on his bike was a welcome outcome following such a serious incident.

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