Walking miracle

Oliver’s first steps to recovery in hospital

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A mum has told of the horrifying moment her four-year-old son was hit by a car — and the torturous hours which followed as he prayed he would survive.

Shirley Davey (36) has spoken for the first time since little Oliver Smethurst was knocked down while crossing Burnley Street a month ago.

The critically-ill boy was rushed to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital with a fractured skull, pelvis and broken legs, and underwent a six-hour operation to pin his thigh bones together. He spent three days under sedation on a ventilator in intensive care.

But just three weeks later the resilient little boy is recovering well. Oliver took his first steps in hospital this week

His mum, from Chadderton, described the moments leading up to the tragedy. After stepping off a coach following a day trip with her autistic daughter Chloe (16), Shirley told how her family’s world came crashing down.

She said: “We were starting to cross the road in front of the coach. “I turned to speak to my daughter and turned back to see Oliver carrying on into the road, and a car coming. By the time I’d got to shouting he’d been hit.

“The next minute I saw him roll out from under the car and scooped him up and ran towards the baths for help. I thought he was going to die. I could see this big gaping hole on his forehead.

“Someone came out of the wellbeing centre and told me to put him down and a few people came to help him. I ran in, I was hysterical and shouting for help and screaming for someone to call an ambulance.

“Then I remembered my daughter, so I rushed to her. She was very calm and was talking to Oliver. If anyone deserves a medal it’s her. I just kept thinking he wasn’t going to make it. It’s the worst nightmare you can go through as a parent.”

Shirley had ato borrow a phone to contact Oliver’s dad, Mark and ended up calling her son Hayden (14), who ran home to tell Mark. The family dashed to the scene.

“It all seems like a blur now,” added Shirley. “The staff from the wellbeing centre were fantastic. I don’t think Oliver would be here now if it wasn’t for them.

“The wait while he was being operated on was terrible. He was sedated because of a possible brain injury. Seeing him lying there in intensive care with all these cuts and grazes was awful. When they moved him on to Ward 78 a few days later it was such a massive relief.”

Oliver was forced to lie down for over two weeks due to his pelvic injury so it was a joyful moment when he was allowed to sit up.

“It’s amazing how well he’s doing, even the cuts and grazes have healed over, with no scars. He’s still in pain but he’s done really well, taking five steps on Monday and across the room the next day.

“He’s getting a bit grumpy now but that’s not surprising. It’s a miracle he’s still here. They haven’t said when he’ll be allowed home yet but it’s likely he’ll be in a wheelchair for a while.”

Shirley visited Chadderton Wellbeing Centre last week to say thank-you. Kind-hearted staff held a collection for Oliver.

“Two of the staff even came to visit him in hospital. I just can’t thank them enough. They’ve been amazing.”