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'He's back in the saddle' Father credits helmet for saving son's life in bicycle-truck collision
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Tuesday, September 3, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
As doctors picked gravel out of five-year-old Josh Soloy's face and knees, his father watched and was thankful things weren't much worse.
Mike Soloy and his son Josh, 5, try out his new bike on Knutsen Avenue, the scene of last week's accident. - Daniel Campbell/NNSL photo
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Last Wednesday morning Mike Soloy received a call from his neighbour. She told him his son's bicycle was crumpled underneath a pick-up truck outside his house.
"I dropped the phone and ran out the door," Soloy said.
"I forgot to even ask if he was OK."
But five-year-old Josh Soloy was OK, relatively. In fact, he'd gotten up immediately after being hit by the Dodge Ram in front of his house.
Josh walked away from the accident with some serious road rash and bruising. He was taken to Stanton Territorial Hospital, treated and released a few hours later.
"The old boy never even cried once. He's too tough," Soloy said, grinning at his son.
But it's not only toughness that saved Josh last week. Soloy credits his son's helmet with keeping his injuries relatively minor.
"Number one rule we don't go on the bike unless we have a helmet," Soloy said, looking at Josh.
"And what's our second rule?" Soloy asked Josh.
"Looking both ways," Josh replied.
"We have a few rules, one just slipped his mind," Soloy said.
Soloy doesn't blame the driver of the truck, owned by Ric's Ground Maintenance. He knows his son drove his bicycle out in front of the vehicle. He's happy the driver was going well below the speed limit and attempted to stop.
"Accidents can happen at all ages," Soloy said.
"He had some bumps and bruises but it could have been a lot worse."
Tragic memories
At least one Yellowknife parent knows how tragic accidents can turn out when helmets are not worn.
Jackie Hardy lost her son, also named Josh, last summer. Josh Hardy, 18, was riding his skateboard down the McMahon Frame Lake Trail when he lost control and hit his head, fracturing his skull.
He was medevaced to Edmonton but never recovered. He was pronounced dead three days later.
Josh Hardy wasn't wearing his helmet.
Jackie Hardy has been lobbying city council since then to pass a helmet bylaw. She said it's on the back burner right now, but she's not giving up.
"I'm feeling pretty positive about it, about half of the councillors seem to be on board with the bylaw," she said.
Soloy said he'd like to see a bylaw in place, but regardless he'll always enforce helmet wearing in his family.
"I think that's for the people of Yellowknife to decide," he said.
Hardy said she's pleased to hear Soloy's son wore his helmet. It proves helmets can save lives, she said.
"I truly believe if Josh (Hardy) was wearing a helmet he'd still be here with us," Hardy said.
Happy ending for young Soloy
Soloy said the Ric's Ground Maintenance driver was so upset about the incident, he even tried to visit Josh in the hospital. He wasn't allowed to see the boy because he's not family.
When Josh was released from hospital, the driver was finally able to visit him at his house.
He asked Josh what kind of things he liked that day.
"What'd you say?" Soloy asked his son.
"Ninja Turtles," Josh replied.
So later that day the driver showed up with a hand-made card and Ninja Turtles for Josh.
On Friday morning, Soloy received a call from Ric Fair, owner of Ric's Ground Maintenance. He said he'd like to give Josh a new bike.
"I said, 'No, that's OK, it was an accident," Soloy recalls.
Soly said Fair insisted, saying, "Every five-year-old needs a bike."
On Sunday they picked Josh's new bike up and he was able to take it for a test-ride with the driver watching.
Soloy said initially after the accident, Josh was skittish about going outside again.
As Josh's interview with Yellowknifer wrapped up on Monday, he began to look antsy.
He asked his father if he could go back outside again and ride his new bike.
Soloy said since Josh has his "new wheels" he's excited to get out again.
"He's back in the saddle and it's great to see."
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