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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

“Only God could have lined it up for Caleb to be home that day.”

Caleb McKee, an 11-year-old boy from Clanton, was recognized for his heroic actions at the Clanton City Council meeting on June 9 that saved a woman’s life. McKee was named a local hero, received a key to the City of Clanton and had a massive supporting crowd present while Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims read a proclamation to the young hero.

“By the virtue of authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Clanton … Proclaim Caleb McKee as a local hero,” the proclamation said.

On May 2, Clanton Fire Department and other rescue personnel were dispatched to a call where a young man was reporting a woman had been severely injured and was trapped under a car. When emergency help arrived, McKee was right there.

“We get there, and Caleb is in charge,” David Driver, Fire Chief of the Clanton Fire Department, said.

A local resident was visiting a family member at a residence nearby to the McKee family’s home. She thought she put her car in park, but did not, and she attempted to get back in to do so. However, the car began moving and caused her to fall under the car, getting run over and trapped underneath with no help.

After being trapped for 30 minutes, McKee came outside, heard the woman screaming for help and ran right to the scene.

“He was not even supposed to be home from school that day,” Danyula Flowers, the lady’s granddaughter, said. “He had somehow been able to be checked out that day, and it was just a miracle.”

When McKee could not get the lady out from underneath the car, he ran back to his house and called 911. He worked with dispatch to pinpoint where the emergency was at, and he did not let anyone touch her and stayed with her until help arrived to remove the car and get her medical attention.

“I just wanted to do what I could to help,” McKee said. “I reacted how I naturally would … I feel like I just did what I was supposed to do.”

The council meeting on June 9 began by honoring McKee for his heroic deeds. Mims presented McKee with a key to the city along with gift from the CFD, and he read a proclamation to proclaim McKee a local hero.

“The City of Clanton takes great pride in recognizing its citizens who exemplify compassion, courage and the willingness to help others in times of need,” the proclamation said. “Caleb McKee, a bright and kind-hearted young resident, demonstrated extraordinary bravery, quick thinking and selflessness when he responded to a life-threatening emergency involving his neighbor’s mother.”

Flowers stood and shared a moment of thanks for McKee during the meeting as well, thanking him for his selflessness and help in saving her grandmother’s life.

“We are a heavily faith-based family,” Flowers said. “My grandmother has been such a big part of our story as far as taking us to church, teaching us about the Lord and putting our trust in the Lord. She is still doing that now in rehab.”

Flowers’ grandmother, who will be 89 soon, is now recovering and working her way back from her severe injuries. Flowers added that her family is very thankful she can have the ability to work her way back because of McKee.

McKee will be a sixth grader at Clanton Middle School next year, and his parents are Mike and Leigh McKee.