Florida sister recalls terrifying moments after 5-year-old falls from moving car
By Muhammad Abdul Qawee
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PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida (WBBH) — A Port Charlotte woman says it was a miracle her 5-year-old sister survived after falling out of a moving car along Veterans Boulevard Sunday afternoon.
The older sister, who was driving at the time, told Gulf Coast News she feared her sister could have been killed after the girl unbuckled her seat belt, opened the car door and jumped out onto the busy roadway.
The incident happened at the intersection of Atwater Street and Veterans Boulevard.
“I saw the car was still rolling because they were screaming out the car,” the sister said. “So then I started running with her in my arms, and then someone jumped in and stopped the car for us.”
The woman, who did not want to show her face on camera or her name, said the moments after the fall were terrifying.
“I just felt really helpless,” she said. “I was praying the whole time, just in shock, because the day started off like a regular day.”
A newly released 911 call by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office captures a Good Samaritan who stopped to help, while the 5-year-old was hurt.
Video from a nearby gas station shows the older sister rushing to reach the child moments after the fall.
An incident report says that Sheriff Bill Prummell was on the scene assisting with the traffic control. A witness said a white Ford Fusion was turning left onto Veterans Boulevard from Atwater Street when this all happened. There were four people in the car at the time.
The sheriff’s office said the 5-year-old was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
“She’s back home,” the sister said. “She came back the same night. It was like a miracle. Just thanking God.”
The family told Gulf Coast News that it should be a reminder to always use child safety locks when traveling with young children to prevent similar dangerous situations.
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