A young boy struck by a vehicle in El Cajon while riding his bike to school Friday morning was saved by his helmet, responding firefighters and paramedics said.
The 9-year-old was trapped beneath a dark-colored Infiniti SUV before 7:30 a.m. at Madison Avenue and East Main Street.
Heartland Fire and Rescue crews rushed to his assistance, using airbags and cribbing to lift the vehicle off the pinned child, said Monica Zech, City of El Cajon spokeswoman.
Tire tread marks were left on the boy’s blue helmet with road abrasions on the opposite side.
The boy was "very distraught" when police first arrived, Zech said, and he was transported to Children’s Hosptial where he was released hours later with minor injuries.
When the child returns to school, El Cajon police will present him a new helmet at a student assembly, reminding classmates the importance of wearing a helmet, Zech said.
El Cajon police are investigating the collision.
