WARNING: Distressing CCTV footage showing moment 15-year-old was hit by scrambler released by family

THE family of 15-year-old scrambler bike victim Jessica Chisnall have agreed to police releasing CCTV footage of the incident that nearly claimed her life, to highlight the dangers of illegal off-road motorbikes.

Jessica suffered severe head injuries after she was hit by an off-road bike which mounted the pavement on Ashtons Green Drive in Parr, at around 3.30pm on Friday, January 13.

The teenager was put in a medically-induced coma after suffering bleeding on the brain, eye socket injuries and deep cuts, before further recovering at home.

Now ahead of Christmas, Jess’ dad Carl Chisnall is warning others of the dangers.

He said: “It was a typical Friday afternoon waiting for the girls to come home from school and college, then a bang on the door changed our lives dramatically.

“My niece was at the door saying something has happened to our daughter.

“Nothing prepared us for what was to happen next. I ran to her and saw her lifeless on the floor and no movement.

“I was in shock and my first thought was she was dead.

“I just kept saying her name over and over not knowing if she could hear me or the seriousness of the injuries she had sustained.

“My focus and priority were on my daughter as my wife and other daughter were screaming and upset."

The rider and passenger, who were 12 and 16 respectively at the time of the incident, made off from the incident and were later arrested.

The off-road bike had been given to the 16-year-old passenger of the bike as a reward for good achievement in school.

He was later given a Detention and Training Order and disqualified from driving for five years. The 12-year-old was given a Youth Referral Order.

Jessica's mum Sara Chisnall, added: “Our daughter has been set back by all that has happened and our lives have changed dramatically, but we have fought hard to support her as a family.

“It’s been a tough year, but Christmas is a special time for us like all families but this year we count ourselves lucky to have our whole family together.

“Things could have been so different. Like we say, we are looking forward.

“Hopefully this will deter parents from buying these bikes.”

The moment Jess was hit

Carl added: “I plead with any responsible parent not to buy these bikes. They are not children’s toys, they are not road legal and can only be ridden on private land with the land owner’s permission.

“You’re wasting your money but most of all you are putting your children and others at risk.

“I plead with anyone considering riding these bikes to think again. Think of the numerous people harassed and put at risk by riding these bikes.

“If you want to use one find a safe and legal place where you won’t put other’s and yourselves at risk.”

Merseyside Police Roads Policing Constable Shaun Regan has supported the family since the incident, added: "We know that this CCTV footage will be distressing for some people to watch and it has taken immense courage by Jessica and her family to agree to its release.

"But it is so important that we show people the devastating and long-lasting impact that the dangerous and illegal use of off-road bikes can cause.

"Almost 12 months on from the incident, Jessica and her family are still recovering from what happened and we don't want any other families to go through their continuing ordeal."

Chief Inspector Gary O'Rourke, who heads Merseyside Police's Operation Brookdale campaign to reduce the illegal and nuisance use of off-road bikes, said: "We are completely committed to eradicating the harm that the illegal and anti-social use of off-road bikes continues to cause to the communities in Merseyside, and I want to ask anyone who is considering buying an off-road vehicle for their child this Christmas to think very carefully about the consequences, which are all too vividly apparent to anyone viewing this footage.

"As upsetting as it is, this CCTV speaks for itself, and shows the true danger that can be caused by the illegal and dangerous use of off-road vehicles. The injuries suffered by Jess on that day were completely avoidable and Jessica and her family continue to suffer because of the reckless behaviour of two individuals who didn’t think of the consequences that riding a powerful motorbike in a built-up area might cause.

"We are continuing to do everything we can to stop incidents like this from blighting our communities, so if you have information on where they are being stored, where they are regularly being ridden, and what vehicles are transporting them – let us know, report online, call Crimestoppers, even send a message to us on social media. We will take action whenever we can to remove dangerous vehicles from the streets."

Anyone with information on who is using these bikes and where they are being stored is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.