Heroic girl, six, wins award for risking her life after pushing toddler sister out of path of car only to be knocked down herself

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A heroic six-year-old dramatically saved her younger sister's life by pushing her out the way of an oncoming car - seconds before she was mown down herself.

Ramona Gibbs leapt to the rescue when she spotted a vehicle driven by an OAP hurtling down the pavement as she played outside her home with sister Trixie in Knowle, Bristol.

Seconds before it careered into her three-year-old sister, Ramona bundled her out of the way - only to suffer life-threatening injuries herself.

'It is great to get this award. I can’t wait to show all my friends.'

Ramona and Trixie, now aged seven and four, had been playing on their scooters outside their home when a 94-year-old driver attempted a manoeuvre in the road.

Recovery: Ramona spent 16 days at Bristol Children's Hospital.

But the elderly driver accidentally stepped on the accelerator and mounted the pavement - hurtling towards the innocent pair.

After pushing her sister out of the way, Ramona was pinned between the woman’s vehicle and a parked Land Rover - before a neighbour pulled her out.
Incredibly, thanks to the heroics of Ramona, Trixie only suffered a bump on the head during the terrifying incident and was given the all-clear by doctors.



Recognised: The youngster was awarded by Somerset and Avon police in Portishead yesterday

But Ramona was rushed to Bristol Children’s Hospital and admitted to intensive care, suffering from liver and lung damage, a broken leg and rib, a bruised pelvis, a damaged knee and internal bleeding.
The plucky youngster battled for survival, spending 16 days in hospital before returning home with parents Sally and Chris Gibbs.

Survivor: Ramona is now back to her best after five operations

She has since had to undergo five gruelling operations to help repair the damage, including plastic surgery on her knee.
But Ramona is now back enjoying the hobbies she loves - tennis, trampolining and swimming.

And her heroics only came to light when Trixie, not realising what her older sister was trying to do, complained: 'Ramona pushed me.'
Proud parents Sally and Chris were at Avon and Somerset’s police HQ in Portishead on Tuesday to see Ramona collect her award.

Sally, a primary school teacher, said: 'It’s really amazing what Ramona did - it must have been pure instinct.

'If it was not for her, Trixie would have been killed. All the eyewitnesses said that the car was heading straight for her.

'All of Ramona’s injuries were abdominal, which would have been head height for Trixie.
'I can’t even think about what might have happened if Ramona hadn’t done what she did.'

Sally added: 'Trixie remembers there was an accident and that Ramona was very badly hurt. She also remembers being pushed by Ramona which is the reason we know how it happened.
'I remember her saying that Ramona had pushed her. She was actually quite cross about it - she didn’t realise that Ramona had done something that had saved her life.'

Chris, 46, a jeweller, added: 'We are also proud of Ramona for being so stoic and calm throughout such a horrific ordeal. She was amazing.'
The car driver was convicted of driving without due care and attention and surrendered her licence, which the Gibbs believe highlights the need for compulsory retesting of elderly drivers.

 
Family: Ramona with parents Chris and Sally, left, and embracing Trixie, right.

Sally said: 'They should reintroduce tests for elderly drivers just to make sure they still have the best reactions.
'I’m not saying a 94-year-old is not capable of driving, just that there should be checks in place to make sure.'

A total of 55 nominations were received for the third annual Children and Young People’s awards.
Seven winners were presented with trophies, certificates and a donation from the Somerset Crime Beat Trust.

Treatment: Ramona visited by Bristol City stars Louis Carey, centre and Liam Fontaine, right.

Culled from The Daily Mail UK.

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Simply Cheska...