Athens Review, Athens, Texas

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September 17, 2008

Three-year-old caught in van window

Girl transported to Childrens Medical Center after almost suffocating in van window

By Rich Flowers News Editor

A three-year-old girl was flown to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Monday, after getting her head stuck in a van window in the parking lot of the Athens Whataburger.

Athens Police Department Lt. Mike Davis said the child’s condition was improving, Tuesday afternoon. The child’s name was not released.

APD received a call at about 7 p.m. from Whataburger manager Kathy Curry that the child was trapped and could not breathe. The child was in the care of 20-year-old Amber Hurtado when the accident occurred. Curry said witnesses told her, Hurtado had been baby-sitting the child.

Davis said the girls injuries were due to the child accidentally activating the power window controls.

“The woman was driving across the parking lot,” Davis said. “She looked in her rear view mirror and saw the child was caught in the window.”

Davis said the child’s face was beginning to be discolored from the lack of air.

“The girl accidentally stepped on the switch and the window rolled up on her, choking her,” Davis said.

He said Hurtado stopped the vehicle but had trouble getting the window to roll down.

Curry said she became aware of the child’s predicament when she heard some one yelling, “Call 9-1-1.” There were several customers and employees in the parking lot and a great deal of anxiety, Curry said.

“There was a guy in the drive-through who left his car and ran to the girl,” Curry said. “He knew CPR.”

APD officers William Carlow, Jason McEntire, James Graham and Roger Keith arrived at the parking lot within minutes of the call as well as emergency responders from the Athens Fire Department.

A couple of minutes later, the girl was transported to East Texas Medical Center Athens. After observing the child, ETMC arranged transfer to Children Medical Center.

Davis said from all reports, the child’s injuries appeared to be accidental. He said he did not anticipate any further APD investigation.

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