Injury to prompt safety review at BMX track

In a recent incident at the BMX pump track, a child under the age of 16 suffered a serious injury, emphasising the need for improved safety measures.

The incident, which occurred on March 23, 2023, was reported to the Town Council on May 11, 2023, and has raised concerns about the overall safety of the facility.

Town Councillors will consider the accident and near misses report at their meeting on the 19th June 2023.

According to report by the child's mother, the child, identified as X, was enthusiastically enjoying the bike track, riding up and down the humps with excitement. However, as he descended one of the humps on the far right side of the track, tragedy struck. X fell forward, losing control of his bike, and collided with the middle fence post. Despite wearing a helmet, the impact resulted in a severe cut to his eyebrow, requiring immediate medical attention.

Following the initial treatment at Newtown hospital, X was transferred to Shrewsbury Hospital, and subsequently referred to Telford hospital to consult with a specialist. The severity of the injury necessitated X to be put under general anesthesia for the stitching of the wound, requiring a total of 10 stitches.

The Town Council has responded promptly to this incident, recognizing the importance of preventing similar accidents in the future. The Operations Manager, Lee Davies, has forwarded the incident report and a photo of the affected area to the specialist designers responsible for creating the bike track. The aim is to engage their expertise and conduct a comprehensive review of the situation, with a particular focus on identifying potential safety improvements.

The specialist designers will be tasked with assessing the positioning of the fence and determining whether adjustments are necessary to ensure the safety of riders. By thoroughly examining the layout and considering any potential risks, the designers will play a crucial role in evaluating the overall safety measures at the bike track.