Community Honors 12 Year Old Hero

A local boy was honored Saturday at the National Trail Volunteer Fire Department for his heroic actions.

A serious ATV accident this past June left Daniel Alderman impaled by a large tree branch. 12 year old Tyler McKenzie was with Alderman at the time and was able to call 9-1-1, request MedFlight and then guide first responders to the scene. Alderman told us McKenzie’s decisions that day saved his life.

"I thought it was pretty amazing. I mean he stayed calm the entire time. He was…I’ve never seen anyone that calm. If he….If he was a soldier I’d go to combat with him, cause he stayed calm the whole time…he pretty much saved my life. Having his phone with him and staying calm like he did."

We asked McKenzie how he was able to keep his calm in such a terrifying situation, and he told us it was through the help of the dispatcher.

"The help of the dispatcher calling me and just telling me ‘calm down. Don’t get all scared cause help will be there.’"

The town considers the 12 year old a hero. McKenzie isn’t sure he sees it that way, and told us that he believes all he did was save a life.