Liam Mooney, 11-year-old son of Richard and Pamela Mooney of Pattonsburg, came to the aid of 68-year-old Judy Horton, also of Pattonsburg, when she became trapped under the wheels of her Dodge van around 2 p.m. on Friday, June 27.
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According to the Pattonsburg Fire Department Mrs. Horton had just returned home. Upon leaving her vehicle, she suddenly realized she had inadvertently placed the shift lever in neutral, instead of park. The vehicle began rolling backwards.
Mrs. Horton attempted to re-enter the vehicle, but lost her footing and fell to the ground resulting in her left foot and leg being ran over and pinned to the ground by the front wheel of the vehicle, while her right foot and ankle were still entangled inside the door.
Liam , her 11-year-old neighbor, heard Mrs. Horton’s cries for help and came to her aid by calling 9-1-1. Liam also called for his grandfather, Eugene Browning Sr., also of Pattonsburg to come help him.
Together they placed the vehicle in park, and turned off the engine, to prevent the vehicle from moving further. They stayed on the scene to assist with rescue efforts being provided by the Pattonsburg Fire/Rescue and NTA Paramedic Ambulance personnel, as they extricated Mrs. Horton from under the vehicle.
Mrs. Horton was initially transported to Harrison County Community Hospital in Bethany by ground ambulance and later transported by medical helicopter to a regional trauma center.
Mrs. Horton is doing well, according to a friend, Fran Albert, at the Pattonsburg Multi-Purpose Center, where Mrs. Horton is administrator.
"She’s doing pretty good, improving every day," Mrs. Albert said.
Mrs. Horton is at North Kansas City Hospital. She had no broken bones, but was bruised and had a laceration on her leg requiring stitches.
"Her spirits are good, her outlook is good," Mrs. Albert said. "She hopes to be back to work in a month or two. She really appreciates Liam’s help."