Young boy in coma, seriously injured after crash involving 4WD and bicycle

Two young boys were riding a bicycle when they were struck by a 4WD, with one child being placed into an induced coma after life saving surgery.

Brisbane Water Police District Duty Inspector Detective Chief Inspector John Zdrilic. Picture: Nine News Sydney

A young boy is in an induced coma and fighting serious injuries after he was hit by a 4WD while sitting on the handlebars of his friend’s bicycle on the Central Coast.

Emergency crews were called to the intersection of Sydney Ave and Ocean Beach Rd, Umina Beach, following reports a 4WD and a bicycle had collided about 7pm on Friday.

A 12-year-old boy – who was being carried on the handlebars – sustained multiple injuries and was flown to the Sydney Children’s Hospital in a critical condition, police said.

Two boys were rushed to hospital after being hit by a 4WD. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Brisbane Water Police District Duty Inspector Detective Chief Inspector John Zdrilic said on Saturday the boy had come out of surgery and now remains in an induced coma in a stable condition.

“I spoke to the mother of the boy who was seriously injured, they’re understandably upset,” he said.

“He went under operation last night and that went well.”

The boy was being treated for “serious head injuries, significant grazing and a number of fractures” after he went under the 4WD.

The rider – an 11-year-old boy – sustained leg injuries and is in a stable condition in Gosford Hospital.

Police confirmed neither child was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The driver of the 4WD – a 59-year-old woman – was not injured and was taken to Gosford Hospital for mandatory testing.

She had returned a negative breathalyser test and police will wait for the remaining results.

Detective Chief Inspector John Zdrilic says one of the boys remains in an induced coma. Picture: Nine News Sydney

Detective chief inspector Zdrilic said the boys and the driver were all local to the area and he urged anyone with information to contact police.

“They’re local boys, they’re out on their bike having a bit of fun,” he said.

“It’s more or less the middle of Umina Beach, close proximity to the retail outlets they like to go to … and the beach is down the road.

“It wasn’t necessarily a quiet time so I would expect there were quite a few cars around.”

Detective chief inspector Zdrilic urged everyone to remain vigilant when using roads and encouraged parents to remind their children about the importance of bike safety.

“It’s very lucky because this could have been a far more tragic incident than it has turned out to be,” he said.

“Ensure they’re being vigilant while they’re out on the road and it’s their responsibility to look out.”

Officers attached to Brisbane Water Police District established a crime scene and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has commenced.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information or dashcam of the incident is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Young boy in coma, seriously injured after crash involving 4WD and bicycle