THREE youngsters who helped rescue a 10-year-old girl when she became impaled on a piece of wood at a disused pit in Purbeck have been given awards.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Sadie Barnett, from Wool, was playing with friends when she tumbled nearly 20ft down the embankment of the pit off Lower Hillside Road in March.

Her brother Tyler, 12, and friends Bethany Layton-Bates, 13 and Oliver Taylor, 13 – all pupils at Bovington Middle School – went straight to her aid.

Tyler stayed with Sadie at the scene while Oliver contacted his granddad, who was a doctor, and Beth ran home to tell Sadie’s parents what was happening.

She was airlifted to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester and, after an operation to remove the stick, has been recovering at home and has now returned to school.

Mum Jodi Barnett 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 quickly 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 added: “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.”

A police certificate and a commemorative Purbeck fossil was presented to the three youngsters at Bovington Middle School, by Purbeck Section Commander, Inspector Chris Weeks.