Stunt rider's heart stitched together after 60mph crash
The family of a teenage stunt rider told today how surgeons stitched his heart back together to save his life.
Bradley Laing, who has taken part in displays in the US and at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, came off his bike at 60mph and hit railings during a practice session.
The impact tore the flap of one of his heart valves in a rare and life-threatening injury.
Surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital were able to repair the tear and the 16-year-old is back riding.
They said Bradley's Kevlar chest shield, which was torn in two, had probably saved his life.
His mother Julie called on parents to ensure their children wore reinforced clothing while biking.
Since the age of 11, Bradley has been doing stunts, such as jumping through burning hoops, with the Imps motorcycle display team in east London, one of the largest teams in Britain.
Last February he was taking part in a practice display in Beckton when he came off his Yamaha.
He was taken to Whipps Cross hospital suffering a broken collarbone and hand.
At first, it appeared he had no internal injuries until he began complaining of abdominal pains.
Ultrasound revealed he had sustained life-threatening damage to one of three valves in his heart.
The valve's flap was torn from its attachments, causing a severe leak.Bradley then underwent surgery at Great Ormond Street that has only ever been carried out on patients with heart disease.
It took him nearly eight weeks to recuperate and he will be under follow-up supervision for many years.
Consultant cardiologist Dr Graham Derrick said: "It's safe to say that without the chest protector, Bradley would probably not have survived.
"I've never seen damage of that kind to the heart before - the crash must have been very serious to have caused it."
Mrs Laing, of Wanstead, praised the medics who saved her son.
"Bradley seemed stable after the accident apart from a broken collarbone and hand. But then he started getting pains in his stomach," she said.
"It was only the quick-thinking doctor in A&E who realised he had a serious internal injury. And if Bradley hadn't been wearing a protector he would have been even worse."
The teenager, who is now starting a course in motorcycle mechanics, said he was fortunate to have survived: "I wouldn't say I'm a daredevil. Biking is just something I've always done. But I am lucky that doctors could repair the damage."
