Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 28, 1995 TAG: 9511280128
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Barry Seay watched Sunday as his stepson, 5-year-old Anthony Donnely, fell from a parade float and one of its rear wheels ran over the boy's chest.
The accident occurred about 5:30 p.m. at the end of the Christmas parade in Rocky Mount. Donnely was riding with a group of youth bowlers who participate in a league at Franklin Lanes.
The float had just completed the parade route and was heading back to the staging area on Dale Avenue, said Rocky Mount Police Chief Butch Jenkins.
Seay was waiting to pick up his stepson.
"I tried to get to him, but I couldn't. It all just happened so fast," Seay said.
Donnely, who weighs about 45 pounds, suffered severe internal injuries, including a lacerated liver, a ruptured spleen and bruised lungs, according to Franklin County Public Safety Director Claude Webster.
However, Donnely seems to be making a strong recovery. He was moved from the neurotrauma unit at Roanoke Memorial Hospital to the pediatric care center at Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley on Monday. His condition was changed from critical to stable after surgery, Seay said.
"It's a miracle that he's alive," he said.
According to Seay, Donnely lost his balance and fell when the float stopped and started to move again.
"I wanted to grab him," Seay said, "but there was a rescue worker there who I know, and he said, 'No, no. Don't do it.'''
Donnely was transported to Franklin Memorial Hospital, about a mile from the accident scene, then flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
"It's really sad," Webster said, "because everyone thinks riding in a Christmas parade is a safe thing to do."
Memo: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.