News

Actions

Boy, 9, recovering after accident at homecoming parade

Posted at 10:20 PM, Oct 11, 2015
and last updated 2015-10-11 22:20:39-04

HASTINGS, Mich. — Keegan Lindsey, 9, is on the road to recovery after he fell off of a trailer at the Hastings homecoming parade and was pinned under two of its wheels. Police said the boy was riding Friday night with other youth football players before the accident occurred.

The boy's father, Jason Lindsey, was just yards away when he saw his son  on the ground behind the trailer. That's when he knew something was wrong.

"I saw his Nike shoe behind the trailer," Lindsey said. "I knew something had happened to Keegan."

"We had community members who assisted in lifting the trailer off the athlete," said Darrell Slaughter, the president of the Hastings Youth Athletic Association.

Keegan told his dad he was sitting near the front wheel when his pant leg got caught and he was pulled down.

"We just know God is in control," Lindsey said. "He’s going to take care of this situation. Although some bad things happen, we know it could have been a whole lot worse."

Lindsey described his 4th grader as a caring, sensitive boy who is always willing to take on a challenge, adding that Friday night's incident was a new challenge for Keegan to overcome.

Keegan is currently in the hospital recovering from three breaks in his pelvis, a few cracked ribs, and bruised lungs.

Despite his son's injuries, Jason isn't pointing fingers. He's just thankful the community and Hastings Youth Athletic Association helped his son during such a critical time.

"This is nobody's fault," Lindsey said. "It’s not the drivers fault. It wasn’t anybody distracting it. It was an accident. It happened. It could have happened to anybody."

Lindsey says his son's injuries could have been a lot worse. "He could have been paralyzed, he could have had internal injuries, but God was really looking out for him."

Lindsey tells FOX 17 the only way this could have been avoided is if the kids had to walk the parade rather than ride. According to Lindsey, that's the new plan for next year.

Doctors say it will take months until Keegan fully recovers from his injuries.

Hastings Police continue to investigate.