The 6-year-old boy hit by a car outside his Auckland school and saved by strangers - including a Sikh man who removed his turban to cradle his bleeding head - has been welcomed home with a party.
On May 15, Daejon Pahia was walking to school with his 8-year-old sister when a four-wheel-drive vehicle hit him as he crossed Manuroa Rd near Takanini School.
A photo of 22-year-old Harman Singh breaking religious protocol to remove his turban and use it to cradle Daejon's seriously injured and bleeding head has been shown around the world, with millions of people applauding him for his humanity.
On Saturday, Mr Singh joined Daejon's family, friends and school teachers who welcomed him home from the Starship hospital with a party at his Takanini home.
Daejon's mother, Shiralee, said her son was overwhelmed when he arrived home. "He said, 'Whose birthday is it?' Because he didn't realise the party was for him," she said.
"Harman was here, too, which was really good to catch up with him. He's a really nice guy and so humble."
Mrs Pahia said she, her husband Elijah and their six other children were relieved to finally have Daejon home after his time in hospital, which involved surgery for a fractured skull, 12 deep head wounds and a lacerated kidney.
"Everyone is really happy to have him back at home where he belongs. He's been asking a lot of questions and started talking about what happened, which is good.
"We still have to keep an eye on his kidneys but other than that he's recovered quite well."
Saturday's party was not the first time Mr Singh had met the boy he saved; he also visited him in hospital -- taking gifts and receiving a bouquet of flowers and a card in return.
The driver of the car that hit Daejon had also visited him in hospital and sent a gift, Mrs Pahia said.
"He was a quiet and humble guy as well. I could tell he was still pretty shaken up by it. He was telling us how sorry he is about what happened, but we know there wasn't much he could do."
She said Daejon had frozen in the middle of the road when he realised he was in the path of a car.
"It's not his fault. It is just something that happened and Daejon has come out okay."
She said Daejon would be back at school on Tuesday, but would attend only part-time until he had fully recovered.
Mrs Pahia also said community support had meant a lot to the family. "We have never lived anywhere with a community that's so good like this -- everyone has been supporting us and helping us."
- Morgan Tait of the New Zealand Herald
