Video Of What Firefighter Was Caught Doing To Little Girl At Car Crash Goes Viral Online
Please be advised that we are reissuing this article, which first gained attention in August 2017.
A firefighter from California received commendation after he was seen providing comfort to a young girl while her mother and sister received medical attention for injuries sustained in a vehicular accident.
According to KNSD, a large truck veered into oncoming lanes on a highway close to San Diego. Among the occupants of one of the vehicles struck by the truck were a mother, her two young daughters, and another adult relative.
While the mother and one of the girls received treatment for their injuries, firefighter paramedic Ryan Lopez from the Heartland Fire & Rescue Department took on the responsibility of comforting the 4-year-old daughter, who was unharmed.
A news camera recorded the poignant moment as Lopez cradled the girl in his arms, gently rocking her back and forth, side to side.
After a brief period, Lopez brought the child to the fire engine, where he seated her and offered her a drink of water. Soon after, she was back in his arms, resting her head on his shoulder.
Lopez shared his experience with KNSD regarding the moment.
“She really just wanted to hang on and just feel safe,” he remarked about the 4-year-old.
Upon confirming that the girl was not seriously injured, Lopez, who has a 2-month-old daughter, recognized that the next crucial step was to provide her with comfort.
The firefighter expressed that he views his actions as simply part of his duties, noting that any other first responder would have acted similarly.
“It’s not something I would ever seek out to take any recognition for,” he stated. “I know someone else in my same position would’ve done the same thing.”
According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of the big rig lost control while heading southbound on State Route 125 and collided with a metal guardrail. He subsequently veered into the northbound lanes, striking two vehicles. In one of those vehicles, a Chevy, were 57-year-old Nancy Bauerlein and her daughter, 29-year-old Jennifer Thompson-Campbell, both of whom tragically lost their lives in the crash.
The other vehicle impacted by the truck was a black Kia Sorrento, which was carrying the two girls, aged 4 and 6, along with their mother and another adult.
The 6-year-old girl sustained a broken neck in the incident and was experiencing difficulty breathing. She was transported to a nearby children’s hospital.
The 4-year-old girl who received assistance from Lopez had only sustained minor injuries.
The mother of the girls also sustained minor injuries and was permitted to accompany her 6-year-old daughter in the ambulance.
Readers expressed their opinions regarding the story on the Newsiosity Facebook page.
“I am praying that everything will be alright,” one reader remarked. “May God bless the fireman for his compassion. God bless everyone involved.”
“He mentioned that it was merely a typical response since he is a father,” another user stated. “That exemplifies humility in addition to heroism.”