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6-year-old girl reunites with EMT crew who saved her life

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A 6-year-old girl was reunited Thursday morning with the emergency medical technician crew who helped to save her life.

In the fall of 2020, Bri’Alle McNeil was sleeping in her bed when a bullet tore through the wall of her home and struck her.

Her mother was able to keep her alive until Pike Township emergency medical services crew was able to get to her.

Within 30 minutes, Bri’Alle was able to get to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.

“It was a scary situation at that moment seeing your child hurting and fighting for her life,” said Bri’Alle’s mom, Angel McNeil.

“I ran to call 911 and ran outside to my neighbors and they helped out with that day getting us the help that we needed,” Angel said.

After the race to save her life, for the first time, on Thursday, Bri’Alle McNeil met the Pike Township EMS crew that did everything they could to keep her alive.

“I was in her head talking to her and looking down to her,” Aaron Brown, a firefighter from the Pike Township Fire Department, said.

“Obviously it’s a little different situation because she is such a child, but we’re trained to react and treat so that’s what we did,” Brown said.

“I just kept telling her how beautiful and strong she was and keep fighting and that’s what she did,” Angel said.

Bri’Alle arrived to the Pike Township Fire Department and wasn’t shy to hug one of the first responders. She shook hands and the team even gave her a bag with surprises. Her mom Angel says Bri’Alle faced a lot of challenges.

“I noticed that she was in the bed and I saw blood and I took her by her arm and noticed that she had a hole inside her arm,” Angel said.

“Damage to the colon, to the liver, and to the pancreas, as well as her right arm,” Dr. Matt Landman from Riley said.

Doctors say she’s made a complete recovery.

“I know Dr. (Brian W.) Gray and myself and the entire trauma program was extremely pleased with the progress that she’s made from where she showed up from where our EMS crew found her to where she is today is miraculous,” Landman said.

“We just want to say thank you so much for the love and support from Pike Township, from the community,” Angel said.