Mark Hackett Receives Award For Rescuing Father

by Alex Brooks
On Wednesday, May 26, The Petersburgh Ambulance squad presented an award to twelve year old Mark A. Hackett for the cool head, bravery and self-possession he showed in getting help when his father, Mark E. Hackett, cut himself with a chain saw last December. As ambulance squad Lieutenant Dennis Smith told the story, in the face of a

Petersburgh Ambulance Squad Lieutenant Dennis Smith presents an award for bravery to Mark Hackett on Wednesday. (Alex Brooks photo)

nasty cut on his father’s arm and a good deal of blood, young Hackett remained calm, got a towel to wrap the wound, called 911 and answered the dispatcher’s questions in a responsible manner. Smith said Mark’s quick action “potentially saved a life that day.” Mark’s friends Josh Wood, 13, and Tegan Wood, 10, were also there, and they helped to pressure-wrap the wound, under instructions from the elder Mark, while young Mark spoke on the phone to ambulance dispatchers.