Miracle escape of schoolgirl who walks away unhurt after car runs over her HEAD

Savannah Haworth was riding home after passing her cycling proficiency test when she lost her balance and fell into the path of a car.  

The vehicle ran over her arm, shoulder and head but, amazingly, the 11-year-old escaped with just cuts and bruises.

Survivor: Savannah Haworth, 11, holding up the helmet which saved her life when a car ran over her head

The helmet she was wearing bore the brunt of the impact and shattered into pieces.

Savannah's parents Harvey and Gillian believe if their daughter had not been wearing the protective head gear, she would now be dead.

Accounts manager Harvey said: 'Without her helmet Savannah would have sustained serious head injuries or would have been killed. She's been a very, very lucky girl.' 

Life saver: The bicycle helmet can be seen here crushed after the incident

The 40-year-old keen biker added: 'When I saw the road was blocked I realised it was a little bit more serious than I'd thought.

'Several people were looking after her when I got there and when I realised she was compos mentis it was a massive relief.  

'She had a big lump on her head and parts of the helmet were still on her head.' 

The dad of two said: 'The day before the accident we had ridden up to Peel Tower.

'Some friends of ours had come up with two children who were on the bikes without helmets and I asked where the helmets were as you never know when you might need them.  

'The next day I couldn't believe it. I texted them from the hospital and said Savannah's been saved by her helmet.'

Savannah, of Helmshore, Lancashire, had stayed late at school after attending rehearsals for the Grease musical.

She was riding home on the pavement when she moved into the road to avoid pedestrians.  

Savannah lost her balance and was hit by the car, which stopped at the scene.

The driver phoned with Savannah's dad and an ambulance was called.  

The year six student said: 'I was going down the hill and some pedestrians were walking the other way.

'I moved to the side for them and, as I was doing all this, I clipped the wall with my right handlebar. That flung me into the road.'

The slow-moving vehicle ran over her arm, shoulder and head, knocking her unconscious.

Savannah added: 'I remember saying my address and name. I don't remember much else. My friend's mum was there and she said I was unconscious for most of it but I don't remember that.

'I am all right now. My arm is still a bit bruised.'

Savannah was placed on a spinal board and taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital where x-rays revealed she had no broken bones. Her elbow was badly swollen and she had cuts and bruises to her face.

The youngster was allowed home after 24 hours.

Mum Gillian, 39, is now warning other bike riders about the importance of wearing protective head gear.  

She said: 'If I saw 10 people on bikes on school about five would be wearing helmets. They take them off no their way home and dangle them round their handle bars.  Now I tell them how important the helmets are.

'We have always been very strict about the kids wearing helmets. I think if she hadn't been wearing it she would have had a serious head injury.  

'As parents we have got to lead by example and we always wear ours. We need to show how important it is to wear one.' 

Savannah, who attends Helmshore Primary School, said: 'My friends were really shocked and the teachers were surprised I was back at school so soon.

'I showed everyone my helmet in assembly to warn of the dangers and now everyone is saying they'll wear one.'

Savannah's brother Max, eight, added: 'My sister likes her bike but what happened hasn't put me off mine.'