Scooter accident leaves dad-of-two with head injuries
26/1/12 CS Geoff Ward of Gosport who seriously injured himself falling off his sons push along scooter. His wife Leanne Ward is warning others to wear a helmet. Geoff Ward pictured last year - 2011
A DAD-OF-TWO was left with horrific injuries when he had a freak accident while riding his son’s scooter.
Geoff Ward was enjoying an afternoon out with his family at Castle Field in Southsea when the accident happened.
The 38-year-old, from Gosport, was riding down a hill on a scooter given to son Tae as a gift for his 11th birthday when he fell, fracturing his skull, shattering his collarbone and breaking three ribs.
At one point his family feared he might die or be left with permanent brain damage.
Now his wife Leanne, 34, is urging people to ensure they wear a safety helmet when riding scooters.
Mrs Ward said: ‘We all went down to get a bit of fresh air.
‘My son got the scooter for his birthday and we hadn’t really given it a good test run.
‘Geoff wanted to have a go. I shouted to him “Geoff, be careful, put your foot on the brake the whole way”.’
‘As he went past he said “what was that? I’ll be alright” and sped up.
‘He was alright all the way down the hill, then he did about six somersaults.
‘He hit his head about three times and fractured his skull.
‘People just don’t always think to put their helmets on, like we didn’t.
‘It’s so important. We wouldn’t have been questioning whether he was brain damaged if he’d had a helmet on.’
Mrs Ward rushed to her husband’s aid, and was assisted by a passer-by who had witnessed the fall.
Mr Ward was taken by ambulance to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham following the accident last Saturday afternoon.
Medics had hoped to transfer him to Southampton General Hospital but he was not in a stable enough condition.
Mr Ward was put in an induced coma but regained consciousness on Sunday.
It was initially thought he could be left brain damaged, but Mrs Ward says medics are now more positive.
She added: ‘He’s lucky to be alive.
‘There was one point on the Saturday when I had to make the decision to take the children in to see him because it could have been the last time they saw him alive.
‘It’s been horrific. All the kids want to do is go up and be by his bedside.
‘The staff at QA have been absolutely unbelievable.
‘The doctors and nurses couldn’t do enough for him, and the support from my family and friends has been mindblowing.
‘I couldn’t have coped without them.’
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Comments
There are 20 comments to this article
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jibberviki
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 08:42 PMHmm we're all so quick to laugh at you've been framed but also happy to judge others when it suits. I'm guessing anyone making negative comments is also stating they've never made a mistake...REALLY??? To a wonderful, warm and commited family I know you to be, I hope you are all back together soon as you should be. xxx Phil Vik & kids xxx
the fixer
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 06:24 PMwhat is it with peoples remarks on here !!! we all make mistakes in life so stop being so cruel..ive known geoff since we went to city boys and when we left school geoff saved my life (ritzys nightclub..he will know what on about) i wish him all the best and hope he makes a fully recoverery and if i can help geoff in anyway mate just ask ok ..this site has my email address or type my name on facebook mate x
Chlobo
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 08:44 PMI know I should but emotions are so high at the moment !!! I've since reported him. Thank you =)
Seaward Sid
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 08:40 PM@16, The best thing to do is ignore the pratt and maybe ask for his stupid nasty comments to be removed, i hope your brother is feeling better!
Chlobo
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 08:09 PMWhy the hell do you feel the need to clarify ?? They are not just for children either,do your homework. They are used for stunts like skateboards and BMX's. You clearly have nothing better to do with your time than sit on your computer and put negative comments on stories where people are suffering !!! So you know how high up the hill my brother was? No.....give it a rest ay. How can you wish someone well you initially call a prat. Maybe an accident was waiting to happen,but one of such a serious nature ?? I don't think so. My brother is lucky to be alive from this. Stop being arrogant and mindless
LeighPark Larry
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 07:51 PMI stand by what I have said...I do hope the guy gets better soon and my best wishes go to his family. However, even they admit that it was a silly thing to do.....For the benefit of clarity, this was a silly thing to do and not a good example to set to children. The hill in question at Southsea Field IS quite steep and has a concrete path at the bottom. For an adult to ride a CHILD'S scooter is asking for an accident to happen. They aren't meant for adults to ride..... Exactly what the name I use has to do with it escapes me - unless you are suggesting that all people who live in Leigh Park are nasty people...? If so, you REALLY are a stupid person as well!
The Watcher....
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 05:38 PM7 & 9 - what else should we expect but nastiness from somebody with a name like yours! Living up to the bad image eh? Some of us care for others, even if we do not actually know them! Get well very soon Geoff, there are many nice people thinking of you.
nimmynoonoo
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 01:09 PMi know this family very well and al i can say that my heart goes out to them.....this week has been very hard for them and i wish geoff all the best at getting better....sadly it was a freak accident when enjoying a lovely afternoon with his family...we have all got on our kids scooters and shown them how its done and yes fall off and look a din in front of your kids....but at least we walked away with a red face and the kids laughing at us....geoff didnt walk away from it and is still poorly....so please do not leave horrible comments...how would you feel if it was someone you know?.....get better soon geoff sending my love to you leanne and the kids xxxx
Chlobo
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 11:25 AMI would just like to say this is my Brother,for all you well wishes thank you !!! To those who feel it necessary to leave negative feedback give a thought to us(his family) that have been by his bedside everyday willing he gets better. This was an accident that can happen to anyone. His wife wanted to make people aware of the dangers of not using a helmet. We can all see what has happened and my brother Geoff is suffering the consequences. So please out of respect keep your opinions to yourself,there is no need to state the obvious !!!
G&G Milton
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 09:18 AMGet well soon mate, Once I did a silly thing as well grabbed a tree rope swing fell off and landed in between a wooden stake that was sticking out of a bramble bush it ended up between my legs not very far away from my you know what, broken arm was the result, boy was I lucky ! Hope you recover and your family are ok.
turbomann
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 12:52 AMwhat else is silly? riding a bike down hill? skateboard? rollerskates? all these things could be called dangerous they are also normal activities that people do in everyday life. unless of course you have the amazing skill of aftersight before the event happens otherwise you will have to join the ranks of mere mortals like us. was you there by the way? it says hill not steep hill.
LeighPark Larry
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 12:13 AMComment removed by moderator
turbomann
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 12:07 AManyone saying this guy was silly have a bit of respect will you, he was just having a bit of fun with his kids.
LeighPark Larry
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:39 PMWhat a very silly man....
Tegs
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 07:42 PMI can only assume that he was scooting down the big steep grass hill? If so how silly can you get. Most people just roll down it.
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