Last week, Michael Painter and his 10-year-old daughter, Carson, went kayaking on the Bogue Chitto River near Bogalusa, Louisiana. The offshore oil worker attempted a front flip into the river but slipped at the last moment and struck some jagged rocks, suffering a serious spinal injury and leaving him paralyzed in the water. As he floated helplessly, bleeding and unable to move, his daughter quickly realized something was wrong.
Carson rushed into action, grabbing her father’s hand and pulling him toward a sandbar despite him being three times her weight. She then positioned his head so he could breathe and followed his instructions to paddle alone to their car, retrieve his phone, and call for help. While Painter waited in the river a storm broke out and he feared for his daughter’s safety and his own life.
An hour later, he heard the sound of a boat. Carson had reached help and contacted 911 and family friends, who soon came to Painter’s rescue. He was stabilized and taken for medical care, narrowly avoiding permanent paralysis. He’s since regained movement and is undergoing therapy. The sheriff’s office plans to honor Carson with a citation for bravery.
Source: NY POST