Off-duty Cullman firefighter saves local child
CULLMAN, Ala. – An off-duty local firefighter was in the right place at the right time on Aug. 16, and he saved the life of a Cullman child who had an accident involving a Polaris Ranger utility task vehicle (UTV).
Veteran and 20-plus-year EMS and fire service responder Matthew Laminack happened upon the UTV accident, and his presence was the difference in life or death for 13-year-old Parker Dellinger.
“I’ve got 20-plus years in the fire service and EMS and have worked with multiple fire departments and EMS services,” Laminack said. “I was also in the military for eight years as a DOD (Department of Defense) firefighter — but nothing prepares you to pull up on an incident like that. But if and when you do, just revert to what you’ve been told, studied for and trained on. In the fire service we have time to process a call due to response times to the scene. Also you have your crew members to help in any situation. This was a little different.”
Laminack said it was the day after his 50th birthday, and his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter were all at the house as they prepped to drive to his parents’ home.
“We were all going down to my parents’, which is a half a mile past Dr. Matt’s (Dellinger’s) house,” Laminack said. “I did not know at the time we were going from my parents to a local business where 100 people were there waiting for me for a surprise birthday party.”
He said his daughter and crew left a few minutes before he and his wife did.
“My wife and I left in the same route of travel and while passing Matt Dellinger’s house, I noticed his Polaris Ranger had flipped at the corner of Fromhold Road and Lincoln Avenue,” Laminack said. “As we passed, I looked over and noticed a body that was crushed under the roll bar. So I slammed on the brakes, threw it in reverse and told my wife to call 911.”
Laminack said he did not know it was going to be Parker Dellinger.
“While my wife was on the phone, I did everything in my power to try to lift the machine off him,” Laminack said. “After a few minutes, I told my wife to get off the phone with 911 to call someone else, then come help. It was all a blur, but by that time Jamie (Dellinger) showed up — we continued to lift as much weight of the machine off of Parker, Dr. Matt showed up. God gave him the strength we needed to lift the Ranger off him.”
Laminack said, as they lifted the machine up enough, his wife Tonia was able to pull Parker Dellinger from underneath it. He said he couldn’t go into further detail, but in that moment, the boy was lifeless.
“I checked for breathing and a pulse then began CPR,” Laminack said. “Cullman EMS then arrived and we moved him to the ambulance to continue a medical assessment. I thank God that Parker’s 8-year-old sister, Payton, had the strength and courage to run back to the house to get her parents. She also was thrown from the Ranger, but was uninjured.”
Laminack shared that he thanked God that they were driving by the house at the right time and that Dr. Dellinger was home, or the situation could have gone much differently.
“I did not save Parker, our Lord and Savior saved him and spared his life for one heck of a testimony,” Laminack said. “He just used me as a vessel in being there at the right time, and giving me the strength and knowledge to help.”
Dr. Dellinger said he and his family owe Laminack a debt that could never be repaid.
“He saved our son’s life, and we also firmly believe that God had a mighty hand in that day, and we have truly felt the power of the many prayers lifted up on our behalf,” Dellinger said. “This experience has been such a strong reminder of the incredible community we live in. We feel beyond blessed to be here and to have the opportunity to continue raising our children surrounded by such love and support.”
He said Parker is home, healing and resting. “He wants to go back to school soon. Even his fast healing has been a miracle.”
On Friday, Aug. 29, at the Cullman City Council meeting, Cullman Fire Chief Darren Peeples presented Laminack a plaque honoring his heroic service.
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