KINGDOM CITY, MO -
Missouri Community Rallies Around Real-Life Hero
You don't hear the word "hero" thrown around a lot anymore. But, the folks in Kingdom City, Missouri think they have the real deal, after a man with local ties risked his life to save a stranger's child.
James Pennell is now out of the hospital after the July 19th accident that left him with multiple injuries and required multiple surgeries. But, he said that's a very small price to pay for the chance to save a two-year-old's life.
James and Andrea Pennell said they were having pizza when Andrea saw a kid leaving the restaurant.
"He must have hit the door running because by the time I got to the door he was already halfway across the parking lot," said James Pennell. "I kind of faintly remember the mother yelling, 'There's a van coming.' But, I never looked in the street."
"I caught him last second. He was in my right hand when the van hit me," James Pennell remembered.
"It was like in a movie," said Andrea Pennell. "You walk up and someone's laying on the ground and there was blood all over."
His wife's first thought was that he wasn't going to live.
"What am I going to tell the kids?" she said.
At the time, the Pennell's had two children, ages six and three, and a baby due any day. That's something James has thought a lot about since the accident. He said he's lucky he's a live.
"There's no doubt about it," said James Pennell. "Somebody was protecting me. And I believe definitely God had a hand in it because there's no way you get hit like that and walk away or get away with as little injuries as what I got."
Pennell suffered multiple injuries including a compression fracture, torn tendons in his knee, a broken fibula, and a deep gash in his head. The toddler he saved only needed a stitch or two.
Now, Pennell is being called a hero.
"He made it and I made it. And what people call me is... it's an awesome feeling, you really can't say it's not... but I'm more thankful for the fact that I'm able to hear them say it," said James Pennell.
He's thankful knowing the bumps, bruises and breaks are all fixable, and that he's going to be just fine.
Andrea's family, who's from the Belton area, is hoping to get the message out about Pennell's heroism.
Heartland High School and Academy in Belton is gathering items for the family, and a fund has been set up to help with medical costs.
To help out the James Pennell Heroism Fund, make your donations out to: James Pennell Heroism Fund, P.O. Box 10, Callaway Bank, Fulton, MO 65251
You don't hear the word "hero" thrown around a lot anymore. But, the folks in Kingdom City, Missouri think they have the real deal, after a man with local ties risked his life to save a stranger's child.
James Pennell is now out of the hospital after the July 19th accident that left him with multiple injuries and required multiple surgeries. But, he said that's a very small price to pay for the chance to save a two-year-old's life.
James and Andrea Pennell said they were having pizza when Andrea saw a kid leaving the restaurant.
"He must have hit the door running because by the time I got to the door he was already halfway across the parking lot," said James Pennell. "I kind of faintly remember the mother yelling, 'There's a van coming.' But, I never looked in the street."
"I caught him last second. He was in my right hand when the van hit me," James Pennell remembered.
"It was like in a movie," said Andrea Pennell. "You walk up and someone's laying on the ground and there was blood all over."
His wife's first thought was that he wasn't going to live.
"What am I going to tell the kids?" she said.
At the time, the Pennell's had two children, ages six and three, and a baby due any day. That's something James has thought a lot about since the accident. He said he's lucky he's a live.
"There's no doubt about it," said James Pennell. "Somebody was protecting me. And I believe definitely God had a hand in it because there's no way you get hit like that and walk away or get away with as little injuries as what I got."
Pennell suffered multiple injuries including a compression fracture, torn tendons in his knee, a broken fibula, and a deep gash in his head. The toddler he saved only needed a stitch or two.
Now, Pennell is being called a hero.
"He made it and I made it. And what people call me is... it's an awesome feeling, you really can't say it's not... but I'm more thankful for the fact that I'm able to hear them say it," said James Pennell.
He's thankful knowing the bumps, bruises and breaks are all fixable, and that he's going to be just fine.
Andrea's family, who's from the Belton area, is hoping to get the message out about Pennell's heroism.
Heartland High School and Academy in Belton is gathering items for the family, and a fund has been set up to help with medical costs.
To help out the James Pennell Heroism Fund, make your donations out to: James Pennell Heroism Fund, P.O. Box 10, Callaway Bank, Fulton, MO 65251
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
