Toddler Who Lost Both Legs in Lawn Mower Accident Takes First Steps WIth Prosthetics
A toddler who had both legs amputated below the knee after accidently being run over by her father on a riding mower in April took her first steps on her new prosthetic test legs on Monday.
Two-year-old Ireland Nugent has undergone seven surgeries since the April 11 event and was released from hospital in Tampa at the start of May.
Nugent was fitted with her new prosthetic legs Monday and was photographed proudly walking as soon as she was helped to her feet, culminating the hours-long fitting procedure.
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"I'm just speechless and so proud," the girl's father, Jerry Nugen, told The Tampa Bay Times
He also referred to the toddler's determination and bravery in recovering from her injuries.
"She took it over the top ... She's not ever going to hold back … That's my superhero. That's my angel," Nugent added.
According to reports, the little girl ran out in front of her father, who was on a riding lawnmower. She slipped and fell, and her father did not notice, nor did he see or hear his wife yelling at him, trying to get him to stop.
Unfortunately, he was not able to stop in time and ran over the child, dragging her down the driveway and into the street. When he finally stopped and saw what had happened, he wrapped his daughter in a towel and called 911. She was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital and is expected to survive, though her limbs were unable to be reattached.
"She suffered from immediate amputations to both legs below the knees and partial amputation on her hand," Palm Harbor Fire Rescue said in a press release.
The father was not be charged with anything, as investigators deemed the incident a very tragic accident.
