Dhiraj Hari hit by police car while riding bike in Cairns

The family of a nine-year-old boy claims he has a fractured skull and jaw after he was hit by a police car while riding his bike in Cairns.

Dhiraj Hari was riding his bike on Sunday afternoon when he was struck by a Police car, suffering fractures in his skull and jaw according to his parents. Dhiraj Hari (9) with his father Dhiraj Hari. Picture Emily Barker

The family of a nine-year-old boy claims he has a fractured skull and jaw after he was hit by a police car while riding his bike in Cairns.

Dhiraj Hari Jnr was riding his new Christmas present in front of his Manoora, Murray St home about 4.15pm Sunday when an unmarked police car struck his bike, throwing him from it.

It is understood the car collided with Dhiraj after he entered the roadway in between two cars from his driveway.

His father Dhiraj Hari said he heard the bang and thought his child was dead.

“As soon as I heard the noise of the impact, I turned my head and all I saw was my son thrown along the ground,” Mr Hari said.

“He was just laying there eyes open, not moving, not breathing. I didn’t even see his belly move.

“All I could do was call his name and shake him to wake him up.”

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman confirmed a child was struck on January 12 with investigations ongoing.

“The cyclist, a nine-year-old boy, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital as a precaution,” she said.

According to his father, Dhiraj Jnr suffered two fractures to his jaw and a skull fracture.

One neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, said they came out of the house as soon as they heard the bang.

“I saw the car and the kid on the ground with the bike … and as soon as we got out in front I heard the screaming,” they said.

“It was just like that gut-wrenching scream … he (the father) obviously didn’t want to move him [Dhiraj Jnr] but he was trying to console him.

“He [Dhiraj Jnr] must have been shutting his eyes because the Dad kept saying keep up, stay awake.”

Multiple witness and family accounts reported hearing a “gut-wrenching” scream from Dhiraj Hari after he saw his son laying on the bitumen. Mr Hari said he had not received an update or questioning from the Police. Dhiraj Hari (9) with his father Dhiraj Hari. Picture Emily Barker

Witnesses and Dhiraj Jnr’s family said he was on the road for about 20 minutes before he was taken to hospital.

Step-mother Synar Noble said people tried keeping the boy cool before help could arrive.

“The majority of the residents thought the boy was dead at first impact,” Ms Noble said.

“He was just lying there on the road, it was so hot that day.

“We were running backwards and forwards with sheets, towels, pillows, water with ice just to put over his body and stop his skin from burning.”

Mr Hari and his wife claim they had not received an update from the police or had their statements taken.

But a Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said witnesses were spoken to and the incident was still being investigated.

“Police spoke to multiple witnesses on the scene, and investigations are continuing, this includes examining physical evidence and the review of relevant vision to determine the circumstances leading up to the crash,” the spokeswoman said.

Originally published as Dhiraj Hari hit by police car while riding bike in Cairns