Awesome - Boy Who Tells Mom About Unexpected Sight On Way Home Becomes A Hero
Just about every kid dreams about doing something courageous. But when Jerald Withers discovered a true catastrophe in 2017, he learned that real-life danger was nothing like the comic books. Still, despite being at first baffled by what he saw, Jerald summoned the courage to do what no one else his age would….
Jerald Withers
Eleven-year-old Jerald Withers had about as much responsibility as any other kid his age. He had to keep his grades up and do chores around the house — that was about it. But on one November day, he entered a matter of life and death.
Ordinary Concerns
Naturally, Jerald didn't expect to find himself in such a dire situation. The Festus, Missouri, resident was focused more on that night's homework, and whether or not his precious Green Bay Packers would be able to pull out a win that weekend.
Boarding the Bus
However, one bus ride changed everything. As Jerald gazed out the window on his way home from school, something by a nearby bridge caught his eye. He leaned forward and squinted to get a better look.
A Serious Dent
For one thing, it looked like the guardrail over the bridge was completely busted on one end. Only some serious force could've caused such a dent, but Jerald couldn't imagine what that would be.
Something Beyond
But Jerald's heart dropped when he noticed what looked like bits of machinery scattered just off the side of the road. Beyond that, he thought some kind of figure was lying in a field. Maybe it was a deer?
Alerting the Driver
Running up the bus aisle, Jerald brought all this to the attention of the driver. The ornery man admitted there was some kind of shape out there, but said there was nothing. He ignored Jerald's protests and whizzed right past the scene.
On His Own
Once he got home, Jerald was on the verge of panic. Most other kids would've forgotten the entire issue, and just plopped themselves down in front of the TV. Jerald, on the other hand, knew he couldn't rest without finding out what happened at that bridge.
Mom Steps In
Jerald's mom, Brandy Overturf, noticed that he seemed off. When she sat him down to figure out what was wrong, he shared what he saw from the bus window. Fighting back tears, he said that he feared the worst.
Investigating
Kids make up crazy stories all the time, but Brandy understood just how serious her son was. They hopped into the car, and, while speeding down the road, Jerald told his mom exactly where he came across the mysterious shape.
Jerald's Doubts
Jerald's anxiety peaked on the drive over. Doubts swirling in his mind, and he wondered if he would remember the right spot. He even started to question if he really saw anything at all. Still, he would've regretted just plopping in front of the TV that evening.
Finding the Bridge
But as luck would have it, Jerald's directions to the bridge proved correct. Brandy and her son parked the car and ambled over to the bent guardrail. Looking down, Jerald pointed to something in a ditch.
A Totaled Motorcycle
As they hiked down to the ditch, Jerald and Brandy stumbled upon a terrifying sight: the remains of a motorcycle, wrecked beyond belief, spread all across the area. Intuition told the mother and son that the bike wasn't just left here for trash pickup.
Life on the Line
Brandy whirled around as Jerald sprinted to the ditch. She soon understood why. A motorcyclist was sprawled out in the dirt. Though he was wearing a helmet, he wasn't moving at all.
Getting Help
Brandy almost wanted to rush her boy away right then and there. After all, she didn't want an 11 year old to witness a gruesome accident. But Jerald held out hope for the biker. He grabbed his mom's phone and dialed 911.
Still Alive
When paramedics arrived on the scene, they confirmed that the motorcyclist was still breathing — but barely. Identifying him as Billy McMahan, they rushed to the hospital in an attempt to save his life.
The Proud Grandfather
Jerald's grandfather Bob, an avid biker himself, comforted the boy later that evening. Clearly, Jerald did everything he could, plus a little bit more. Bob's kind words were then cut off by the telephone ringing. It was the hospital.
Good News
Against all odds, the caller said, Billy was going to pull through! He would make a full recovery and be able to return to — and bike with — his family in a matter of days. Of course, the hospital staff said that Jerald played a pivotal role in saving his life.
Billy's Last Hope
By the time the school bus first passed Billy, he had already been sprawled in the ditch for hours. If Brandy and Jerald hadn't gone back out to investigate, Billy surely would have frozen to death overnight.
Local Hero
Festus celebrated Jerald as a local hero. One stranger named Rob Bates even gifted him tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals game for his vigilance. Obviously, Jerald didn't help Billy McMahan for the attention. But it did make his dreams come true.
Praise from His Hero
As the story spread across the country, even the Green Bay Packers office heard about it. They thanked their brave fan by sending Jerald an autographed photo of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, along with a box full of official Packers gear!
Helping Those In Need
Still, Jerald recognized that his real reward was the chance to help out a person in need. Even though he was just a kid, Jerald saw what nobody else was able to — and that certainly wasn't the only time paying attention saved a life.
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