Youngsters receive police award

Three youngsters have been given awards by Wareham West Safer Neighbourhood Team for helping a 10-year-old schoolgirl who became impaled on a piece of wood when she fell down a disused pit in Wool.

Sadie Barnett, from Wool, was playing with friends when she tumbled nearly 20 feet down the embankment of a disused pit off Lower Hillside Road on 15 March 2009.

Her brother, Tyler Barnett, 12, Bethany Layton-Bates, 13, Oliver Taylor, 13 – all schoolchildren from Bovington Middle School, immediately went to her aid. Tyler stayed with Sadie whilst Oliver contacted his granddad, who was a doctor, and Beth ran home to inform Sadie’s parents of the accident.

Sadie was airlifted to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester. Following an operation to remove the stick, Sadie recovered at home and recently went back to school.

Jodi Barnett said: “The kids were just amazing, they must have been frightened and worried but they didn’t show it.

“I would like to thank all of the emergency services – they were simply amazing – I can’t believe how quick they got Sadie out of the pit.

“I hope our family never has to go through anything like this again – it was really frightening but we are glad Sadie has pulled through OK and is back to her happy self.”

PC Steve Newton looked after the young girl’s mum, Jodi, throughout the dramatic rescue, which involved help from two other Wareham police officers, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, ambulance staff and the air ambulance. He said: “These youngsters remained calm and did all the right things, considering the difficult circumstances.

“All three contributed in some way and helped direct the emergency services to the scene quickly - it was a tricky location to find.

“They thoroughly deserve to be recognised in this way, as so often, children are reportedly so badly in the media, it’s quite rare to see acts of bravery reported.”

A police certificate and a commemorative Purbeck fossil was presented to the three youngsters recently at Bovington Middle School, Wareham by Purbeck Section Commander, Inspector Chris Weeks from Dorset Police.