Sheffield father-of-four has part of skull removed after being struck by bus in hit-and-run

A father-of-four who had part of his skull removed after he was struck by a bus has told how the hit-and-run incident has completely ‘turned his life upside down’.
By Jon Cooper
Published 22nd Jun 2020, 17:00 BST
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Garon White, aged 26, was in a coma for 17 days after he was knocked down by a bus that failed to stop on the A61 Penistone Road in Hillsborough, Sheffield.

The bus driver Antony Naylor, aged 51, of Norwood, Sheffield, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, June 19, after he admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

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Naylor was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months and disqualified from driving for two years.

Pictured is father-of-four Garon White, aged 26, of Southey Green, Sheffield, who suffered horrific injuries following a collision with a bus in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture courtesy of Irwin Mitchell solicitors.Pictured is father-of-four Garon White, aged 26, of Southey Green, Sheffield, who suffered horrific injuries following a collision with a bus in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture courtesy of Irwin Mitchell solicitors.
Pictured is father-of-four Garon White, aged 26, of Southey Green, Sheffield, who suffered horrific injuries following a collision with a bus in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture courtesy of Irwin Mitchell solicitors.

Garon, of Southey Green, who has four children with partner Demi, said: “The extent of my injuries mean that I cannot recall what happened, but I understand we had crossed the traffic lane which runs away from the city and were waiting to cross the inbound lane when the incident happened.

“Apparently, I was knocked unconscious. The only thing I remember is waking up in hospital. It was hugely distressing and confusing, while it was also a huge shock when I was told what had gone on.”

The court heard Garon had just left a takeaway and was crossing Penistone Road when he was struck in the face by a passing bus’s wing mirror on November 24, 2018.

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Garon’s injuries were so serious police initially handled the collision as a potentially fatal incident.

Pictured is father-of-four Garon White, aged 26, of Southey Green, Sheffield, after he suffered life-threatening injuries following a collision with a bus in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture courtesy of Irwin Mitchell solicitors.Pictured is father-of-four Garon White, aged 26, of Southey Green, Sheffield, after he suffered life-threatening injuries following a collision with a bus in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture courtesy of Irwin Mitchell solicitors.
Pictured is father-of-four Garon White, aged 26, of Southey Green, Sheffield, after he suffered life-threatening injuries following a collision with a bus in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture courtesy of Irwin Mitchell solicitors.

He was taken to the Northern General and Royal Hallamshire hospitals and underwent surgery to remove part of his skull and was in a coma for 17 days.

His family was warned he may not survive but Garon was discharged on Christmas Eve 2018.

Garon - represented by injury lawyers Irwin Mitchell - underwent further surgery after his discharge and needs more surgery to insert more titanium plates and he has to wear protective headgear.

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He added: “I could only imagine how upset and anxious that Demi and the rest of the family were at that time.

Pictured is Garon White, aged 26, of Southey Green, Sheffield, who had part of his skull removed and was in a coma for 17 days following a collision with a bus in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture courtesy of Irwin Mitchell solicitors.Pictured is Garon White, aged 26, of Southey Green, Sheffield, who had part of his skull removed and was in a coma for 17 days following a collision with a bus in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture courtesy of Irwin Mitchell solicitors.
Pictured is Garon White, aged 26, of Southey Green, Sheffield, who had part of his skull removed and was in a coma for 17 days following a collision with a bus in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture courtesy of Irwin Mitchell solicitors.

“From what I was told about the crash, being allowed home from hospital was the best Christmas present I could have ever wished for. However, my life has been completely turned upside down.

“My brain injury means I don’t know what the future holds for me but I am trying to remain positive and look to the future rather than the past.

“Today is a major milestone in being able to do that. I now want to focus on my recovery and spending time with my family.

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“I just hope that by speaking out drivers are aware of the damage they can cause and take care when driving.”

Pictured is Garon White, aged 26, of Southey Green, Sheffield, who has suffered a long and difficult recovery after a collision with a bus in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture courtesy of Irwin Mitchell solicitors.Pictured is Garon White, aged 26, of Southey Green, Sheffield, who has suffered a long and difficult recovery after a collision with a bus in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture courtesy of Irwin Mitchell solicitors.
Pictured is Garon White, aged 26, of Southey Green, Sheffield, who has suffered a long and difficult recovery after a collision with a bus in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Picture courtesy of Irwin Mitchell solicitors.

David Withers, of Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office, said: “Garon suffered devastating injuries in the collision which have had a profound effect on his life and that of his family.

“His case vividly highlights the dangers vulnerable road users such as pedestrians can face by motorists not paying attention.”

Irwin Mitchell stated it is determined to ensure Garon gets the support he needs to help overcome his injuries.