Young hero praised for saving mom, kids

KNIGHTSTOWN, Ind. (WISH) - In a split second last Friday, a Knightstown fourth-grader went from student to hero. Now, the 11-year-old has been honored for action that averted tragedy, saving lives.

"I'm going to give you this letter," said Knightstown Police Chief Danny Baker, presenting a certificate of thanks and a hero medal to Dylan Carmack.

It was followed by a standing ovation from the Knightstown Elementary student body.

"I just remember getting ready for the field trip and going on our way,” said Lisa Carmack, Dylan’s mom. “And that's the last thing I remember. The next thing I remember is waking up in the emergency room."

She had just dropped Dylan off in front of Knightstown Elementary for a field trip when she had a seizure, with her foot still pressing the gas pedal in the minivan.

"The car started going,” Dylan recalled, “and I ran and jumped in the car and tried to pull her foot off the gas and I couldn't, so I grabbed the steering wheel, and it scraped the pole and hit the tree."

It was the quick action of a hero, worthy of a special certificate and medal, presented by the police and fire departments and the ambulance service.

"He undoubtedly saved his mother's life, his life and undoubtedly some of those fourth-graders’ lives that were outside the building and inside the building," Baker said.

Dylan said he understands the importance of what he did.

"I'm happy I saved my mom, ‘cause if I didn't save my mom, I wouldn't be here," he said, choking on his words.

His mom knows too.

"He's my angel, my guardian angel. And if something would have happened to him, I wouldn't have been able to live with myself," she said.

Dylan suffered a bruised leg and minor scrapes and cuts. His mother had some scrapes and cuts too. But both are fine now.