Rye mum thanks rescuers after son's horrific accident

Kai Sutton was struck by the car as he crossed Mason Road on the Tilling Green estate with a group of friends on the evening of October 2 last year.

The 12-year-old sustained a ‘massive rip’ in his thigh, which required more than 150 stitches. Kai also suffered a head injury.

The air ambulance was called to the scene and crews assessed Kai’s condition before he was taken to Kings College Hospital in London by land ambulance.

Kai underwent emergency surgery at Kings the following day and was later discharged after a four-day stay.

He was then transferred to East Grinstead and had a further two operations over a three-week period – one to cut skin away and another to graft new skin onto his damaged leg.

After a number of follow-up appointments, Kai was finally given the all clear by the hospital in April.

Mum Debbie said the accident has had a profound affect on Kai, who is now 13.

She said: “Kai is very angry.

“They want him to have a bit of counselling.” She added: “Physically he could not play football for three months.

“But he’s had the all clear and can do everything normally now.”

The accident has also exacerbated existing problems. Debbie said: “He’s got a lot of confidence issues and he’s very anxious all the time.” She added: “It’s knocked us back almost a year-and-a half.”

Debbie, who lives on The Link on the estate, has praised all the people who came to her son’s aid on the night of the accident.

Two off duty firemen were the first on the scene – Shane Ridgers, from Rye Fire Station, and Chris Jenner, who is based at a London station.

Debbie said: “We really just wanted to say thank you to everybody, including the residents of the estate who helped that night.”

She added: “It was quite traumatic and the ambulance men were absolutely brilliant, even to the point of staying at Kings until it was time for them to go back.

“And the air ambulance were brilliant with him.”

Debbie was also full of praise for Kings and East Grinstead, adding: “If it was not for both of them he would probably have a much worse scar than he has.”

No one was charged over the incident.

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