Safety first for lucky bike rider

A meeting with the Bunbury Herald to share his story of survival was the first time 13-year-old Kelly Simpson had been back to the spot where he was hit by a car.

On February 23, Kelly was cycling home from school – just as he did every weekday – when he rode into the path of an oncoming car on Ocean Drive in Bunbury.

Despite being briefly knocked unconscious, the Bunbury Senior High School student remembers the incident vividly.

Speaking about the collision a week after it happened, Kelly said it was something he would never forget.

“I remember all these people standing around me when I came to,” Kelly said.

“I looked and my bike was about 10 or 15 metres away.

“I know I was very lucky.”

Kelly had been cycling by himself with his earphones in and admits in a momentary lapse of concentration he only looked one way as he went to cross the street.

“If I hadn’t worn my helmet it would have been really bad,” Kelly said.

“I probably wouldn’t have been here today.”

After an ambulance ride and short stay in Bunbury Hospital, Kelly walked away with a few scratches, sore knee and haematoma on his hip.

Kelly’s father Bernie Simpson recalls getting the phone call no parent wants to receive.

“I thought ‘this is what it’s like’ – because as a parent you always think, what would that be like?” Mr Simpson said.

It was Kelly’s choice to share his story, so he could “hopefully save just one life”.

“Always wear your helmet, no matter what and you need your eyes and ears,” Kelly said.