10-Year-Old Hero Saves Lives

By all accounts Franklin Sprayberry is your average 10-year old boy. He loves football and baseball, has a close-knit family, and is a quiet but successful student in Ms. Deanna Briscoe’s fourth grade class at Washington Park Elementary School.

But there is something else about Franklin that you should know, something important; he’s a true hero to not only his family but to everyone here in Jasper County.

Back in April, Franklin was riding with his Aunt, Kimberly Murphy, in the front seat of her car along with his two cousins, five-year old Chad Murphy, Jr. and two-year old Brayden Murphy who were in the back. Traveling on Post Road near Pope’s Branch Creek, and due to unknown circumstances, their vehicle left the roadway flying approximately 60 feet across the embankment. While airborne their vehicle also hit some trees and flipped, landing upside down with the roof crushed in.

Franklin never lost consciousness; while getting his senses he realized that his aunt was unconsciousness next to him and injured and the vehicle was starting to smoke. Franklin was able to alert his aunt, unbuckle her and even though she was inured with a broken back he helped her up to the roadside. She told Franklin to run to the nearby Water Treatment Facility to get help and have them call 911.

By the time he retuned the car was on fire and spreading. Both Kimberly and Franklin were attempting to get into the back seat to extricate the younger kids but due to the damage to the car’s frame, only Franklin could crawl into the diminished space. As the fire and smoke spread, Franklin bravely unbuckled his cousins and dragged them to safety!

In the brief few minutes that it took for Jasper County Fire Rescue to arrive the car was already completely engulfed with fire. Firefighter/Paramedic Kirk Sanders provided ALS care to all patients and Firefighter/EMT Carlos Rhodes fought the car fire by himself until Firefighter/EMT James Ray arrived to help. Kimberly was transported for a broken back, Chad who sustained a severe head injury with bruises to his ribs was life-flighted, and Brayden was transported for observation with thankfully no serious injuries.

It is without a doubt due to the bravery and heroic actions of Franklin that all four survived! Fire/Medic Sanders told me that while assessing Franklin for injuries he was very succinct, “I am hurting, but please take care of my cousins first.”

This past week Franklin was presented the Fire Department’s highest award by Fire Chief Chris Finch along with the two responding firefighters from that day. Franklin has said he is not sure what he wants to be when he grows up. I know that regardless of what career path he may take, his bravery and determination have laid a foundation for success.

Franklin, your family and your hometown are so very proud of you!