By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
ROCKINGHAM — A 14-year-old boy was struck early Sunday evening by a vehicle.
The call for help was reported to Richmond County emergency dispatchers at 5:05 p.m. Personnel with the Rockingham Police Department, the Rockingham Fire Department and FirstHealth EMS responded to the scene on Richmond Road near the intersection of Sunset Belt.
Thomas Puckett was transported by ambulance to the helipad behind FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital, where he waited for the arrival of the Carolina Air Care chopper. Family members and loved ones stood by the emergency entrance to the hospital and embraced each other while the boy was transferred from one gurney to another in preparation for flight.
The helicopter touched down at 5:45 p.m. and lifted off 10 minutes later to seek additional medical treatment.
Puckett’s mother, Nora Puckett, said her son suffered a broken leg bruised ribs.
“It scared us,” Puckett posted of her son’s ordeal on The Pee Dee Post Facebook page, “but my son is a fighter … It is truly a heart-breaking and humbling experience to see your child being airlifted away. Please continue to keep my son in your prayers.”
Puckett was struck by a vehicle driven by a volunteer firefighter responding to an emergency call. Puckett was with friend at the time, who avoided injury. However, Puckett was wearing headphones and didn’t hear the vehicle.
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