Teenage cyclist, 14, fights for life after falling off his bike and getting trapped under Blackpool tram in front of horrified families at night riding event
- Boy came off bike and went underneath tram on Blackpool’s famous promenade
- He was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he is in critical condition
- Ride the Lights sees cyclists along Blackpool promenade to see illuminations
Published: 04:04 EDT, 28 August 2019 | Updated: 07:44 EDT, 28 August 2019
A teenage boy is fighting for his life in hospital after coming off his bike and getting trapped under a tram in front of horrified families on Blackpool promenade.
The 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital after fire crews freed him from under the tram during the town’s Ride The Lights event at around 9.50pm yesterday.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service reported he had ‘significant’ injuries, particularly to his legs, and is still in a critical condition at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
The Ride the Lights event sees hundreds of families ride along Blackpool’s famous promenade to see its famous light displays.
A picture from Blackpool promenade last night shows police and ambulances on scene after a teenage boy got trapped underneath a tram
People travelling on the tram at the time described the scene as ‘awful’, saying their thoughts went out to the family of the young boy.
The annual event, which gives families a preview of the illuminations, was due to end just 10 minutes after the boy fell off his bike and became trapped.
Police had previously warned cyclists taking part in the event that the tram would be in operation and that it is ‘not a race’.
PCSO Colin Hester said: ‘Ride the Lights is not a bike race, it’s a fun and free bike ride open to all.
‘Please be aware that the tramway will be operational throughout the ride, take special care in the area around North Pier/Metropole Hotel.’
A North West Ambulance Service spokesman told MailOnline: ‘We were called at 9.46pm to the promenade in Blackpool to reports of an accident involving a tram and a pedestrian.
‘We sent two rapid response vehicles, an ambulance and a senior clinician was also on scene.
The 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital after fire crews freed him from under the tram as people took part in the town’s Ride The Lights event at around 9.50pm yesterday. File image
‘There was one male patient in his teens who was taken to hospital with serious injuries.’
Cllr Simon Blackburn, Leader of Blackpool Council, added: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear about this incident. Our immediate thoughts are with the boy and his family, and we wish him a full and speedy recovery.
‘We will be giving our full co-operation to the investigation that is now being undertaken by Blackpool Transport and the emergency services to determine the circumstances surrounding this accident.
‘Ride The Lights is a long-standing event, organised with a meticulous degree of planning to ensure that all of the participants can enjoy a safe, car-free environment.’
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