[munketoes]

As many of you know, I am a Paramedic. I was supposed to be off today, but they called me in and I went. It was supposed to be a short 10 hour shift, and then come home to my new family.

About an hour before I got off we got a call for a car down an embankment. Someone got on scene before we did and advised we had two patients. An adult who was walking around and a child that was "pretty bad".

When we got on scene, the SUV was more than 40 feet down in a gully. The vehicle had overturned and the child thrown out. She is three years old.

It took me two full minutes to climb down the steep embankment to get to her. She was unresponsive from a very significant head injury. My partner was up at the top and the loyal firefighters that were volunteering made sure that everything I needed was handed down the hill. I was working very quickly to try to clear her airway for this little girl. Her daddy was down there with us, with minor injuries, crying hysterically, and pleading for me to help her. I was working as fast as I could. He was apologizing to her for not putting her in her carseat. It was only a short trip. She made it to the hospital, but the prognosis is grim. Please pray for this little girl and her family.

And please, please, please put your child in their carseat, even if you're only going a mile. You never know what could happen.

I've been to calls like this before, different child, same story... but I guess that this one hit harder because of the finalization yesterday.

Also, please pray for the EMS and Fire guys who show up, many for free, to help these people. Sometimes it's hard to sleep at night.

[keekee1006]

OMG tears instantly came to my eyes as I read your post. I said a prayer for everyone involved.

[startedover]

I am so sorry for you having to witness this but thankful there are people like you to handle things some of us are totally unqualified for. Hold your baby and thank the Good Lord that someone will put their child in a car seat because of your story, that may not have other wise.

[cbrink7]

God that poor little girl...she will be in my prayers...

DH and I were leaving a gas station the other day (going to our HS appointment actually), and this car drove in fount of us with a child about 3 or so standing in the back seat facing out the back shield. All that came to mind is that the child needed to be in a car seat, and I said a little prayer for the little man.

I do not know how you do your job, but I am so happy that you do! It takes a special kind of person to do what you do.

[finallyamom0310]

I can't stop crying, I will pray all night for them and of course hold DD a bit closer. My neighbor is a nurse and I hear the horror stories from her too.

[aclee]

When DH was in Boston in the hospital, I went outside to get some air, and a young woman came out surrounded by at least 10 other youngish people...all about 18 I would guess. She was carrying a baby in an infant carrier. A young man pulled up in a minivan and they threw open the doors. They all piled in, but were leaving the captain seat by the door open. I assumed for the baby seat. The young mother climbed in last, sat in the seat, and pulled the infant in the carrier onto her lap and slammed the door. Heck of a lot of good that would do the baby in a crash....

These things are so sad...it's one of those things that it's easy to beat yourself up over, because it's so preventable. My thoughts and prayers are with that little girl.

[munketoes]

If ONE person puts their child in a car seat then what I go through is worth it.

[Tigger2]

munketoes~ My prayers are with the little one, her family and for those of you that worked so hard to rescue and save this precious child.

[Adopted-B-4]

That's terrible and you all are definitely in my prayers.

[KSC0917]

You never think it will happen to you. That's such a tragedy that could have been prevented by taking just a few short minutes to strap her in. My prayers are with that family and with you for having the strength to do what you do.

[munketoes]

Last I heard she was flown to a hospital in Charlotte, NC. She was reported to have been in serious condition, but improving slightly. They were supposed to be doing an EEG to test for brain function, but I haven't heard of the results of that. Please keep praying. Thanks

[nikkianni]

Baby girl will be in my prayers. As will her family.

I was once at an accident scene where an older sister had been driving. (Teenager). Her little brother, about two I believe, had been sleeping when they left wherever they were. So instead of putting him in his seat, she laid him in the back seat.
Amazingly, in this case it was the sister who was badly hurt and eventually passed away. The little boy had bumps and bruises but was fine.
Still, when you hear that first report over the radio of an accident with a child involved your gut just clenches and stays that way.

[finallyamom0310]

Munketoes, thanks so much for the update. I read your post to my DH the other night and we both were in a state of shock. We will keep the prayers coming.

Please keep the updates coming too.