GRIFFIN, Ga. — A Georgia 12-year-old was recognized for her heroic and brave actions following a terrifying accident in October.
Sage Hopper, her 5-year-old sister Elaine, a family friend and her two children were involved in a car accident on Oct. 16 on Highway 19 in Zebulon.
Sage immediately took control of the situation after the family friend was trapped in the vehicle. The 12-year-old helped the children out of the car and into a ditch away from traffic. Elaine had to be airlifted, and Sage held her sister's hand through every step of the way, calming her down.
Sage's father, Tyler Hopper, said he wasn't surprised by his daughter's bravery.
“When we got home from the hospital that night, Sage was talking about what happened, and I just told her what she did was awesome," Tyler said.
Elaine was released from the hospital the same day she was taken to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital.
And over a month later, the Hopper family met and thanked the first responders who cared for them. AirLife Georgia honored the 12-year-old with a certificate of heroism and gifts.
Sage and Elaine's father, Tyler, is an officer with the Griffin Police Department. He has been on countless accident scenes, but now has gained a new perspective after his daughters' lives were saved.
“[Flight Nurse] Sasha [White] came up and introduced herself and told me she was going to be taking care of my Lanie Bug,” Tyler said. “I don’t know if I will ever be able to be on a scene like that again and not think about what the crew did for her that day.”
Before the accident, Sage aspired to be a flight nurse. She is even more determined after the incident and seeing the AirLife 1 in action.
“I just want to help people,” Sage said.
