Cruel fate of Connor Blythe
Grant McArthur
March 14, 2007

YOUNG hero Connor Blythe is paying a heavy price for saving his little sister's life. The brave 10-year-old pushed Erin, 6, out of harm's way when a car roared up behind them as they walked home from school.

Connor took the full force of the impact and has spent the past 84 days fighting for his life. He has massive head injuries and is able to communicate only by blinking once for yes and twice for no.

" He's a hero, there is no other word for it," his father Ray Blythe said yesterday. "I'm sure he knew when he threw himself in front of that car there was a bloody good chance he would not get past it.

" His nature is that he would always look out for someone else, even at risk of himself."

Mr Blythe and wife Erolyn have spoken for the first time since the December 20 hit-run crash to praise their son and thank the Royal Children's Hospital for saving his life.

Connor was walking Erin home from the school bus stop near their Beaufort property when he was struck from behind by a car on the quiet Carngham-Trawalla Rd.

Injuries, including a broken femur, broken elbow and a fractured pelvis, have healed. But Connor lies in a minimally conscious state, unable to move or make sounds, and doctors don't know if his recovery will extend past blinking.

Every day Ms Blythe tells her son how proud he makes her. She is hopeful his acknowledging looks are the first step to a greater recovery. Police are still investigating the accident and have not laid any charges. After interviewing Erin and those in the car, they believe Connor heard the car horn moments before impact and threw his sister out of the way instead of jumping himself.

The car was so close its side mirror struck Erin and knocked her unconscious. She woke up alone next to her battered and bleeding brother, and ran to get help.

Instead of celebrating Christmas, Mr and Ms Blythe had to consider whether life support should be turned off. But Mr Blythe said he could never allow his son to die. "He's earned the right to a life, the best quality life we can get for him. We'll cross every bridge Connor needs to cross. Those he can't we'll carry him over.

" I've sat here on my own, hours at a time, over the last 84 days talking to him, and he talks back with his looks. " You ask him how he is and he blinks. I say 'you know that your dad loves you' and he blinks again. I just think the nature of the brain injury at present interferes with him physically."

While doctors have told the parents their son will probably require 24-hour attention for life, Mr Blythe said he hoped Connor would learn to make sounds over the next month when breathing tubes are removed from his throat.

" Will I get my bright, active boy back? Probably not, but he is still my son. " He was always selfless. He'd be the first to offer you a drink or chip out of his chip packet while the other kids would eat them like a monkey on a cupcake, but not him."

Erin is also struggling with shock and fear for her hero, but Mr Blythe said he was proud of her for running to get help quickly. "Like any time in hospital there have been some ups and downs, but the staff have been incredible and without them Connor would not be here now," he said.




Source: © 2007 Herald and Weekly Times