A seven-year-old Campbell River boy was airlifted to a mainland hospital with a shattered pelvis after being hit by an SUV in a parking lot last week.
A fundraising page for the boy’s family says he was hit in the Real Canadian Superstore parking lot on Oct. 21 and taken by emergency helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.
Alicia Sewid, who brought John home from the hospital earlier this week, said in a social media post it was a miracle to see him take a few steps with a walker. The family had been told it could take weeks before he started relearning how to walk on his own.
“He has a very long road ahead of him and at just seven years old, it breaks my heart,” the fundraising page says.
Campell River RCMP said it appears the boy darted into the path of the SUV before the driver had time to stop, based on accounts from witnesses, the driver and Sewid.
Police said there was no indication the driver was speeding, and they are not considering charges against the man.
Const. Maury Tyre said police rarely use the word accident, but this incident appeared to be the “quintessential” accident.
“Unfortunately, tragic things do happen that are unforeseen and it is very unfortunate,” Tyre said.
The fundraising effort has raised more than $4,000 for the family to support them through John’s recovery.
