By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-19 03:21:25 | Updated at 2024-11-19 05:26:10
2 hours ago
A man in Florida has been hailed a hero after saving a little boy from a burning car but has since described the horror of having to leave the boy's sister behind.
Anthony Slater is recovering from severe burns after he saved the three-year-old, but the hero broke into tears as he remembered having to leave the boy's five-year-old sister in the burning wreck.
Slater had heard the pleas from the children's father, who was calling out for help as the children were trapped.
'It took me a while to get him out, and as I got him out, I noticed that there was another little girl next to him in a car seat, fumbling around, unconscious,' he said.
As she regained consciousness Slater tried to get her out, but he had to leave her behind.
He told WSVN through tears: 'She was crying, and I was talking to her, trying to calm her down, and I had to leave her.'
Slater later added on Facebook: 'My heart aches for that little girl I couldn't save what a time to be alive.'
Neighbors who had heard the cries for help began calling 911. One, Hal Clark, said that Slater had been screaming for help.
'She was crying, and I was talking to her, trying to calm her down, and I had to leave her,' Anthony Slater said through tears as he remembers not being able to save the little boy's five-year-old sister
Walker suffered severe third-degree burns and was released from hospital earlier today after recovering in the same hospital as his savior
JoLynn, five, was in the car with her brother but she wasn't able to be saved. A memorial service is set to be held in December
'He was trying, and he was screaming, "Help, Help", and there's nobody to help,' Clark said. 'The flames were getting in, and you couldn't even get to, and it was too late.'
'Really sad for her, that I couldn't save her life, but I'm glad that I was able to save her brother,' Slater told the outlet.
The children's mother, Logan Deines, posted on Facebook and wrote: 'My babies are so so so beautiful and precious! Five years wasn't enough, and it will never be.'
Deines described the outpouring of support she received from her community and added: 'You guys are helping me through the rawest, purest, horrifying nightmare I can never wake up from.'
Her son, Walker, was released from hospital earlier today after suffering serious third degree burns while Deines has made arrangements for her daughter, JoLynn.
Deines wrote: 'All I can help but think... life is so UNFAIR. My baby was a FIGHTER! She was so tough... I'll forever be heartbroken but humble because I KNOW she is with her maker. I love her so much!'
The kindergartener was heavily involved in sports, including baseball, dance and gymnastics, and 'her contagious personality would brighten anybody's day'.
Her aunt, Brittany Deines, wrote: 'She was such a strong willed and sassy little thing and forever Aunt B's buddy. Not one day will pass that I won't miss her.'
Their mother, Logan Deines, wrote: 'All I can help but think... life is so UNFAIR. My baby was a FIGHTER! She was so tough... I'll forever be heartbroken but humble because I KNOW she is with her maker. I love her so much!'
Slater endured multiple surgeries, including graft surgeries. His fundraiser has currently raised more than $35,000, and Slater was set to be discharged from hospital today
'This man gave HIS ALL for my children and for that, I'll always appreciate and admire him,' said Deines
A GoFundMe was set up for Deines to help support them through this time and has currently raised more than $30,000.
One was also set up on GoFundMe for Slater by his mother to help him through medical expenses and to support him during his recovery.
Slater endured multiple surgeries, including graft surgeries. Both Slater and Walker were in the same hospital and got to see each other while they recovered.
His fundraiser has currently raised more than $35,000, and Slater was set to be discharged from hospital today.
Deines wrote on Facebook: 'PLEASE please please keep AJ in your thoughts and prayers. He was at the right place at the right time... This man gave HIS ALL for my children and for that, I'll always appreciate and admire him.'
JoLynn was described as a 'free-spirited little girl who loved animals, the Bible, Elsa, Spidey Kids and his Amazing Friends, and her favorite movie of all, Avatar'.
Her memorial service is set to take place in December and a spirit night will be held for the family next week.
