The harrowing image that should serve as a warning: Scan reveals teenager’s fractured skull after he was knocked off his bike while not wearing a helmet and almost died in the arms of an off-duty policewoman

• Vicki Riley is issuing the warning after her son Jack was knocked off his bike
• Jack, 13, nearly died in the arms of an off-duty policewoman near his home
• The teenager was riding with friends when he was involved in the accident
• He sustained a serious skull fracture as a result of not wearing his helmet

A mother has today released a shocking picture of a huge fracture in her son’s skull to encourage other children to wear helmets when riding their bikes.

Vicki Riley is issuing the warning after her 13-year-old son, Jack, was knocked off his bike and nearly died in the arms of an off-duty policewoman near his home.

The teenager was riding with friends when he was involved in the accident earlier this month, in which he landed head first and was knocked unconscious. 

Jack, of Hemsworth in West Yorkshire, sustained an incredibly serious skull fracture as a result of not wearing his helmet.

He was taken to hospital by helicopter and rushed into theatre for surgery, where doctors spent five hours fixing the break.

Now recovering at home, Ms Riley has released a horrific scan showing the extent of his injuries, to shock other parents into action.

Jack Riley, of Hemsworth in West Yorkshire, sustained an incredibly serious skull fracture as a result of not wearing a helmet (a scan of the fracture)

Vicki Riley is issuing the warning after her 13-year-old son, Jack, was knocked off his bike and nearly died (pictured together after his accident)

Ms Riley, 31, said: ‘I feel very lucky, things could have turned out very differently. If I could turn back time I would. 

‘He has a helmet and if he’s going to a skate park or anything I always make sure he wears it. I just wish I had reinforced that rule more often.

‘Right now I don’t feel like ever letting any of my kids on a bike again but if I did I would definitely make sure they had all of the safety gear on and I would be with them.

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‘I would just say to other parents if something so simple can protect your child just do it. It’s not worth the heartache or the risk.’

Karen Stanton, a policewoman for 16 years, was on a walk with her 10-year-old daughter when she came across the devastating scene involving Jack.

She intervened until police and paramedics arrived.

Jack was taken to hospital by helicopter and rushed into theatre for surgery, where doctors spent five hours fixing the break (pictured with his siblings before the accident)

Now recovering at home, Ms Riley released the horrific scan to show the extent of his injuries, to shock other parents into action (pictured: Jack’s skull after surgery)

Ms Riley, who is a stay-at-home mother, added: ‘Jack’s a little fighter though and he’s doing really well.

‘We won’t know until further down the line if there will be any lasting damage, he may struggle with concentration and things but I’m just thrilled to have him here.’

She revealed she was out at the time of Jack’s accident, and only knew about it when her husband called and said she needed to ‘get home quick’. 

Recalling that heartbreaking phone call, Ms Riley, who has three other children, said: ‘I just knew straight away it was serious. 

‘I rushed down there and there were so many people. I saw loads of police cars, ambulances and an air ambulance.

‘I saw Jack on the stretcher unconscious and covered in blood and I honestly thought I had lost him.

‘My heart felt like it had been shattered into a million pieces. He was in theatre for five hours and it felt like an eternity.

‘When the doctor came out and showed me the X-ray I was gobsmacked. I couldn’t believe he had actually survived.’

Karen Stanton (pictured), a policewoman for 16 years, was on a walk with her 10-year-old daughter when she came across the devastating scene involving Jack

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