Teen spreads message of safety after ‘lucky’ escape

While Tylar Gallaghan and his family put the fact the 14-year-old survived being hit by a car down to “luck”, they also know the helmet he was wearing probably saved his life.

On the eve of term three holidays, Tylar was struck by a car as he rode his push-scooter home from school with a friend.

The collision knocked Tylar unconscious and he broke the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg and fractured his ribs.

An ambulance was called and Tylar was taken to Bunbury Hospital where he would spend the next two weeks.

Tylar’s father Dean Gallaghan described the moment of getting news about the incident as “terrifying” and said parents needed to make sure their children always wore safety gear.

“It was the worst feeling ever getting that phone call – your heart sinks,” Mr Gallaghan said. “If he wasn’t wearing a helmet, it could have been a hell of a lot worse.

“We’re pretty lucky and a few people blocked off the road when it happened, we’re so appreciative that they stopped.”

During those two weeks – when he should have been enjoying the holidays – Tylar underwent surgery to put a steel plate in his leg and a pair of 25mm screws.

Bracing a moon boot and looking forward to getting back to school this week, Tylar said he wanted to share his story in the hope that the same thing would not happen to someone else.

“I make sure I always look and do all those things,” Tylar said.

“That day the car just came out of nowhere.

“I just want people to slow down and stop, especially around school times, but not just around schools.”