Child hit by bicycle in a park in Pazardzhik; calls for additional safety measures

In the city garden of Pazardzhik, a 4-year-old boy was knocked down and run over by a bicycle, close relatives reported via social networks. He was urgently admitted to the Orthopaedics department at the state hospital in the city with a severe injury to his right leg. According to the mother, the child stayed for treatment for three days and a follow-up X-ray is expected, after which it will become clear whether surgery and the insertion of pins for bone stabilization will be necessary.

The incident occurred a few days ago while the 4-year-old child was playing on the new playground in the park. The mother says she was about a meter away from her son when a toy fell outside the fence perimeter and he went to pick it up. She then looked at her phone and heard a scream, seeing a boy about 10–11 years old around her.

The injured boy was transported by car, driven by his mother, to the Emergency department. The child’s parents insist on stricter control and clearer rules in the park. The mother of the injured child expresses bewilderment that the other family did not contact to apologize. According to her, it is necessary not only to teach children how to ride bicycles, but also to explain responsible behavior.

After the incident, other parents asked the Pazardzhik Municipality to take additional safety measures in the city park. Community members call for restricting bicycle riding in the garden and for the installation of warning signs and patrols, especially near the playgrounds.

The municipality reports regular inspections in accordance with the ordinance, with 10 inspections carried out in the last two months. Vesela Todorova, Director of the Education and Culture Directorate, informs that 43 fines have been issued to adult citizens, with about half of them for bicycle-related violations. Eight acts of violation were issued to parental figures for children.

The municipality emphasizes that the responsibility for safety cannot be shouldered by institutions alone. According to Vesela Todorova, institutional control cannot replace parental supervision, and an active role of parents through example and upbringing is necessary.

The mother of the injured child proposes creating separate zones in parks for older children where they can ride bicycles safely, as well as urging parents to raise children with moral values, responsibility, and empathy.

Source: Искра.бг