February 4, 2010 - Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are very proud of their two oldest sons, Josh Duggar, 21, and John Duggar, 20, who helped save the life of a little six-year-old girl involved in a car crash Thursday just outside their used car dealership in Springdale, Ark.
In an exclusive Examiner telephone interview with Jim Bob this afternoon, he said, “It was quick thinking on their part. They reacted to the situation and took care of the little girl, Maddye, who wasn’t breathing. John performed CPR while Josh was on the phone with 911. They worked together to help save this little girl.”
“We saw Maddye’s mom the other day,” Jim Bob said, “Maddye is staying at the same hospital as Josie. They performed surgery. It’s going to be a long road for her too but the surgery went well.”
Josh Duggar looked out the window of his used car dealership and watched in horror as three cars crashed. "I went out to see what I could do," says Josh, whose family is featured on TLC's 19 Kids and Counting reality show. "That's when I saw the little girl."
The grandmother of six-year old Maddye Plascensia brought her to Josh’s car dealership for help. John began CPR while Josh called 911.
"I saw her pull in, and that's when I picked up and dialed 911," Josh told the local news. "I knew something was wrong."
The 911 call can be found on TMZ online (click here).
Josh kept the dispatcher informed as John continued to perform CPR on the unresponsive child.
"This girl, just a few moments earlier, was just an ordinary little girl, and just a split second later she's unconscious and not breathing," John said.
According to 4029TV.com, 6-year-old Maddye Plascensia was in the front seat of a car driven by her grandmother, Glannetta Plascensia of Springdale.
The station reported that the girl was eating a chicken nugget and was not wearing a seat belt. She also apparently hit the car’s airbag.
John, a volunteer fireman, performed CPR until an ambulance arrived. When the emergency team arrived, MSNBC reports that Josh held the IV bag while John used his cell phone to shoot video of the rescue.
Maddye was rushed to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock where she was listed in critical condition.
"All the credit goes to the Springdale, Ark., fire department," Josh said. "I could see the emotion in their eyes, it was very serious."
Josh, who is now the parent of 3-month-old Mackynzie with his wife, Anna, 21, said, “Having a daughter of my own, I felt such a connection there. I was glad to have had some trauma training.”
It is amazing to see how two young men rushed to help save the little girl’s life, using the skills they had acquired in their work as volunteer fire fighters in their hometown of Tontitown, Ark.
Monroe, Washington Fire Department
Richelle Risdon, Public Education & Information Officer for Monroe Fire District #3 said in an email this afternoon, "It is expected within Monroe Fire District #3 that all of our career and volunteer firefighters will use their training to protect the public at all times, both on and off duty."
"If an off duty firefighter happens to be present during an incident, intervenes, and subsequently saves a life," she says, "Monroe Fire would be glad that the firefighter was in a position to use his or her training to make a difference."
"With many firefighters and paramedics," Richelle continued, "You will find that it is in their nature to want to help others and that is why they have chosen to work or volunteer in a capacity that serves people."
The Duggar family is known for their desire and ability to help others, as was evidenced again Thursday. Today, Jim Bob says, his older girls are volunteering at a soup kitchen.
Maddye is now in stable condition at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock – the same hospital where Josh's premature baby sister, Josie, is in intensive care. The Duggars met up with Maddye's grateful family Tuesday night in a hospital lobby.
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Seattle mom responds to Josie Brooklyn Duggar’s earliest dangers - New photos, video
Josie Brooklyn Duggar gives mom and dad ‘biggest scare’, could come home in a month (slideshow)
Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar introduce baby #19 Josie Brooklyn and count their blessings (video)
How do Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar live debt free with 19 kids? Good question
Sources:
Exclusive Examiner interview with Jim Bob
PEOPLE
Monroe, Wash. Fire Dept.
911 Call (audio)
MSNBC
4029TV.com
Comments
Thank-you Duggars for being an example of helping others. People often seem to think that kids can't do anything but be entertained. Your family shows how much kids can learn to be helpful while being individuals within a group. People who help others are like angels on earth- unsung and sung heroes. This world has so many challenges and we all are in the balancing act together.... :O}
Ding dang anyway. The drive-by media keeps ignoring this heroic family in so many ways and God just keeps pushing them out into the limelight. Whatever are the chances of that happening in front of Josh's car dealership? Josh is right, no such thing as coincidence, all is Providence. Go Dugger! (but keep praying your Bible to keep you humble. We can't afford to lose your shining "Light of the World" example.
im am so proud of the boys for this finally maybe people will stop being mean to them about there belifes and see that they are good people.
The Duggars did great helping this child. I hope others will learn from this that no 6 yo should be in the front seat of a car. Same thing happened to my niece...she's disabled for life. No seatbelt and hit by the airbag..the car she was in had barely started to move after the light turned green but was hit by someone running the light going 35mph. No other injuries, not a scratch on the adults involved in the accident. KIDS AND AIRBAGS DONT MIX!
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