Child racer in motocross crash airlifted for emergency surgery at Scots hospital

"Shortly after Seb passed us, I saw the flags raised to signal someone had crashed and I knew it must be him."

An 11-year-old child was airlifted to hospital for emergency surgery after a serious motocross crash.

Boy racer Seb Craig was competing in the Elgin race on August 9 when he clipped the side of the track, losing control of his bike and crashing just after passing his cheering family.

The youngster, who has been racing since he was six years old, had broken his femur (thigh bone) resulting in immense physical pain.

Paramedics stationed at the racing event were able to treat Seb by straightening the broken bone but a helicopter from Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) was called to race him to hospital and prevent severe blood loss.

Sandra, Seb's mum, knew instantly her son's injury was bad. She said: “Shortly after Seb passed us, I saw the flags raised to signal someone had crashed and I knew it must be him.

“He had what looked like a small crash, but he knew instantly he had a bad injury. I didn’t realise how serious a broken femur actually was.

“As we were in Elgin, the closest hospital we would have to travel to was Aberdeen. It would have been at least an hour and a half journey by road – which is why we were relieved when we heard an air ambulance had been called.”

The crew were able to land close to the scene while an ambulance vehicle also arrived to assist.

SCAA paramedics were able to manage the risk of serious haemorrhaging, help with pain management, and transport Seb to paediatric trauma care at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in the quickest possible time, saving him a painful and long journey by road ambulance.

Unfortunately, due to fuel capacity, weight restrictions and space in the aircraft, Sandra was unable to fly with her son to hospital. However, through donations, the charity’s soon-to-be operational new Airbus H145 D3 aircraft will have capacity to fly parents like Sandra in future.

“Watching him fly away in a helicopter was very emotional,” Sandra recalled, “but the two air ambulance paramedics were so great with Seb.

“They really put me at ease and were constantly reassuring us…I had no doubts that he was getting the best care possible.

“My sister had sponsored my late father’s name to be printed on the helicopter so it was also a comfort to know that, even though I couldn’t fly, my dad was up there with him. It brought a tear to both Seb and I knowing that his grandad was keeping an eye on him up there when I couldn’t fly with him.

“Seb was gifted a SCAA teddy bear which he kept with him in his hospital bed and the paramedics phoned me to update me that Seb had arrived safely to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.”

Recalling the accident, Seb said: “I was a bit nervous about going in a helicopter but because I was in so much pain, I just wanted to get to hospital quick. The two paramedics that were with me were really kind and looked after me.”

Seb’s leg was operated on the very same day with two titanium rods fitted, both of which will be removed in roughly two years’ time.

Sandra is convinced his accident won’t deter him from the sport and she spoke on how grateful she is to all those who came to the aid of her son.

She added: “If SCAA hadn’t delivered Seb to hospital, he would have most likely had to wait until the following day to receive surgery which would have been horrendous for him as he was in so much pain.

"Getting him to the right hospital so quickly meant his recovery outcome is probably the best it could have been. The SCAA crew were absolutely amazing – we can’t thank them enough."