The parents of four-year-old Ashton Groves, the youngster injured on Monday after being hit by a truck, find themselves with much to be thankful for despite the ordeal of the past few days.

“It shows how blessed we are to have such a great hospital,” said Ashton’s father, retired policeman Simon Groves, looking on as his son rested at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

On Monday afternoon, as Ashton rode his bicycle near home in what Mr Groves calls one of the island’s “great neighbourhoods” on Boaz Island, his mother Lenia heard a parent’s ultimate nightmare outside: a bang, followed by a scream.

“Everybody helped — those who could came rushing,” Mr Groves recalled. “It’s a compact neighbourhood, a great playground for kids — usually at my house.”

Ashton had come home from Lagoon Park Preschool and was “only 15 yards from the house” on Seawall Road when he was hit, sustaining a head laceration and contusions to his face.

Mrs Groves rushed to her son’s aid while neighbours, including a nurse, pitched in.

His father, who got home five minutes later, found his police instincts kicking in — but in the aftermath, “I just lost it”, he said.

An ambulance rushed Ashton to the Intensive Care Unit, where he was given “fantastic” care while his parents stayed to watch over him.

Ashton’s injuries will keep him a while longer in hospital, but leave him with a battle scar to impress his older brother, Matthew.