Heroic Rescue on Iowa Freeway

Rep. Derrick Van Orden from Wisconsin, along with bystanders, played a vital role in saving an injured 11-year-old boy following a severe accident on an Iowa freeway. The scene was dramatic and tense.

Van Orden, who was in Hawkeye visiting family on a poignant anniversary, witnessed the minivan crash into a semi-truck while looking in his rearview mirror. He quickly turned around and found the boy suffering from significant injuries to his legs and wrists.

“I grabbed some socks from my suitcase and created a makeshift bandage,” he recounted. “When others arrived, I asked if anyone had a knife.”

The boy, identified as Sawyer Whitt, had sustained catastrophic injuries from the crash, including a severed artery in his wrist and severe wounds to his calf. Van Orden wasn’t alone in his efforts; a medic at the scene also contributed by using windshield wipers as a splint and fashioning tourniquets from metal. Together, they managed to stabilize Sawyer until paramedics arrived.

Van Orden expressed deep gratitude that there were no fatalities from the accident, noting that without quick action, the outcome could have been much worse. He described Whitt as a “hero,” alongside the other first responders who acted swiftly.

“The paramedics who arrived about 10 or 15 minutes later were incredible,” he stated, clearly proud of their collective efforts.

On Monday, Miller, the young boy, was visited by Wisconsin legislators, who thanked him for his bravery during the incident.

During their heartfelt exchange, Van Orden shared a personal connection, noting that he had lost a daughter two years prior. It was a poignant moment, and he felt thankful that the family didn’t have to go through a similar loss.