THE parents of a young boy, critically injured in a grass-track race, have paid tribute to Alton St John Ambulance for probably saving his life. When 11-year-old Chris Stewart broke his neck in an accident at the Tongham Motor Club track in Four Marks on September 24, it was the swift action of an on-site St John team that helped to ensure his survival. The six-strong first aid team, including three from Alton, were on duty at the race meeting and were on the scene within 30 seconds and quickly identified a possible spinal injury. Team leader Richard Coleman made the initial assessment and immediately tasked Alton colleague Steven Fish to immobilise the boy's head. Steven squeezed into the crumpled Mini, under the roll bar and behind the drivers seat where he remained for over an hour, supporting Chris's head while firefighters cut him out of the car. According to Richard Coleman, the team had just that Thursday undertaken entrapment training with the two crews of Alton firefighters who attended the scene. He had put a call out to the emergency services at 3-18 pm. The firefighters arrived seven minutes later and the ambulance two minutes after that. Once extracted from the car, Chris then received treatment from doctors from the Hampshire BASICS team who had driven hot foot from Basingstoke and managed to stabilise the then unconscious boy before he was taken by ambulance to Southampton General Hospital. It was an impressive team effort and one that almost certainly saved the life of Chris, now 12, who, according to parents John and Debbie, is thought to have suffered a blackout as he came into the pit corner. In a message on the Tongham Motor Club website, the Stewarts say that Chris is now being cared for at Southampton General Hospital where he has undergone an operation on his broken neck. "We are pleased to say this has been a success and he is now on the road to recovery." In a later statement John Stewart added: "The chaps from St John were terrific - they all did a fantastic job." Members of St John Ambulance are on duty at all Tongham Motor Club meets and undergo regular training in all aspects of first aid, in particular spinal immobilisation techniques. David Harrison, Commander of St John Ambulance Hampshire, joined Chris's parents in praising the team. "I am really proud of the way the team carried out the rescue and treatment of this young lad. "Any serious accident is traumatic, but one involving a young child is particularly difficult. "Our members showed a very high level of professionalism and care. I can't thank them enough for all they did on that day." According to Tongham Motor Club chairman Rudge Stockham and secretary, Mandy Sherwood, the club is regulated by SEGTO (South East Grass Track Organisation) and is subject to regular health and safety inspections. Furthermore no-one is allowed to race unless his or her vehicle has passed stringent checks. All cars are owned by the competitors themselves. They have had their interiors stripped out and safety equipment installed, including a roll cage and seat harnesses, and drivers are required to wear the right gear, including neck braces and safety helmets. After the accident, Chris's car had been impounded by the police and, according to Mr Stockham, "was found to be in top condition". The Fareham boy, who had begun his racing career as a 10 year old, had just graduated from the novice group which teaches youngsters how to drive and control the car under instruction, into juniors (10 to 16). He had won the first race of the day and was leading in the second when the accident occurred. "He was totally on his own. There were no other cars involved," said Mr Stockham, who described the crash as "a freak accident" which was not felt to be due to age, inexperience or mechanical failure of the car. "We may never get to the root cause," said the chairman. "All I do know is that we carry out very rigourous safety checks and that it is safer to drive a car around a dirt track than it is on the road." Launched in 1972 by a group of enthusiasts from Tongham, the club moved its circuit from the Surrey area to Brick Kiln Lane, off The Shrave at Four Marks, some 20 years ago and has been racing there ever since. It has some 250 members, male and female and half of them racing members, and a strong junior section. "We are a real family club," said Mandy Sherwood. "Racing teaches the youngsters a sense of responsibility, respect and pride. They help look after their own vehicles and they all have responsibilities within the club, starting with clean-up duties. They don't get an easy ride, but once you've got the bug it's there for life." Both club officials have visited Chris in hospital and have paid tribute to the "professionalism" of the St John Ambulance team in working to keep him alive. "We have been told that Chris is going to make a full recovery, but it may take a little while," said Mrs Sherwood. With this in mind, on Chris's 12th birthday last week the club got together to buy him a laptop, so that he can keep in contact with his friends. Despite having metal plates in his neck and still unable to talk, the plucky youngster was delighted with the gift, managing a determined 'thumbs-up' sign. Rudge Stockham was impressed by the resilience of the young driver. "Chris is in good spirits - all he wants to do now is go racing again," he said.