QUICK-thinking youngsters from Purbeck who rushed to the aid of a friend who suffered a serious injury during a fall have been given police awards.

Sadie Barnett, 10, from Wool, was playing with friends when she tumbled nearly 20 feet down an embankment at a disused pit off Lower Hillside Road on Sunday, March 15.

She was impaled in the abdomen by a piece of wood during the fall.

Her brother, Tyler, 12, and friends Bethany Layton-Bates and Oliver Taylor, both 13, rushed to her aid following the accident.

Tyler stayed with Sadie at the scene while Oliver contacted his grandfather, who is a doctor, and Bethany ran home to raise the alarm with Sadie’s parents.

Thanks to the swift response of the Bovington Middle School pupils, Sadie was airlifted to Dorset County Hospital, in Dorchester, for treatment.

The trio of junior rescuers has now been rewarded with certificates and a commemorative Purbeck fossil, presented by Wareham West’s Safer Neighbourhood Team and Purbeck Section Commander, Inspector Chris Weeks.

Sadie’s mum Jodi 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 Jodi throughout the rescue, which involved help from two other Wareham police officers, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, ambulance staff and the air ambulance.

PC Newton 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 – it’s quite rare to see acts of bravery.”

Sadie, who underwent an emergency operation to remove the stick she was impaled on, recently returned to school after recovering from a subsequent infection.

Her mum Jodi said: “We keep on having to tell her to slow down because she’s an outdoors sort of girl and she wants to be out all of the time.”

She added: “I think it’s fantastic the kids are getting these awards.”