Biker in Devon saves baby from car crash
Throwing himself and his bike in front of a speeding car saved the baby from serious injury or death
A BIKER in Devon is being lauded as a hero today, after potentially saving a baby from serious injury by putting himself between them and a speeding car.
The incident happened in Babbacomb near Torquay this week, when a mother was about to move her young child from the pushchair to the child seat in the car. Before the child could be placed in the car the pushchair’s brakes failed, sending the child hurtling down a steep hill.
Making matters worse, a car came around a bend in the road at speed, putting itself and the child on a collision course.
Thankfully, before the car and pushchair could make contact, a motorcyclist who had spotted the potential danger, managed to put himself and his bike between the pushchair and the car.
In a post on Facebook the mother of the child says: “Out of nowhere a motorbike shot straight in front of the pushchair and stopped the car from hitting myself and my baby by taking the full brunt of the impact which knocked him clean off and landed at least a meter away. He then immediately sprang to his feet recovered the pushchair and brought my baby back to me.”
Seeing how damaged the bike was after the incident, the mother went on to say: “I really believe I owe my child’s life to you, I’m not great at describing things as you can probably tell but this was a real heart stopping moment. From an extremely shook up but safe mother and child. Thank you and I hope yourself and your motorbike are ok. True heroes still exist”
The power of social media seems to have worked as the hero of the hour was found and named as Jamie Mathews. He responded to the post by saying: “Hello- I was the biker, I really wasn't expecting this post but thank you to everyone for such lovely comments and being so compassionate towards this mother. It really wasn't her fault and was simply a freak accident. To the OP thank you for your concern, the bleeding from the mouth was just a cut in my cheek from hitting the floor- asides from that and a little bruising I am perfectly ok thank you for your offer to pay for any damages but asides from a little scarring on the back box, slightly bend handlebar (since fixed) and a few scratches here the bike is fine and running strong.... well until it's MOT next month but that damage was there well before this please instead put that money towards a new pram just to make sure this doesn't happen again! I'm just glad yourself, the baby and the lady driving are all ok! I don't see it as heroic personally, more just the right place at the right time and Im sure anyone else would have done the same! Side note: pretty impressed I looked to you like I was in my late twenties having not even reached 23 at the moment but I'll choose to believe that was because of the helmet also feel free to message me on here if you're still concerned about anything. I hope this can help you de-stress slightly"
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
