Ranger – A local boy is home and a family rejoicing after a go-kart accident on July 21 and a stay in a Chattanooga, Tenn. hospital.
Bronson Orton, 9, was involved in a go-kart accident at his family home and sustained life-threatening injuries. He was riding his go-cart with his father, Jared, when the vehicle flipped, causing serious injuries to the boy that included two punctured lungs, seven broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a broken shoulder blade.
Daniel McNabb, a first responder with the Wolf Creek Volunteer Fire Department, quickly rushed to the Orton’s home.
“I was the first paramedic on scene and determined that air medical was needed,” McNabb said.
He assisted the family to Ranger Elementary School, where Bronson was flown out via helicopter to T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital. Bronson spent five days in the PICU before moving to a regular room Saturday, then released to go home Sunday – just one week after the accident, according to Ashley Rhodes, Bronson’s aunt.
Rhodes said the family had just celebrated Bronson’s 9th birthday the day before the accident on July 20. He enjoys hunting, fishing and playing video games, as well as playing sports and attending church.
“He has been the strongest little boy, even when the ventilator was on, he was calm,” Rhodes said, beaming. “But he has been through so much, his emotions get overwhelming sometimes. His whole body has trauma, and for a 9-year-old, that seems unfair.”
The community has rallied together to help the Orton family with two fundraisers, a coon hunt and fishing tournament, held within the week of the accident. Residents have also been helping the family by providing meals while being at the hospital.
“A lot of people have been very generous keeping all of us up by sending meals and snacks while we are at the hospital,” said Rhodes, who called Bronson’s recovery “miraculous.” “We are grateful for faithful prayer warriors and each person that spoke Bronson’s name to the Lord.”