11-YEAR-OLD SPOTS A WEIRD SHADOW AND A SHINY OBJECT OUTSIDE THE WINDOW, HIS MOTHER CALLS 911 AND UNRAVELS THE TRUTH

Usually, when kids say something elders don’t pay heed to it which is wrong. Yes, kids don’t mean everything they say but in one way or the other, it is somewhere related to what they saw or heard. We can still understand when people take a 3-5-year-old’s story lightly but what if we say that even an 11-year-old wasn’t believed when he said he saw something strange outside the window. And when the truth was unraveled, everyone regretted not believing the kid’s words.

What took place at Jefferson County one fine day suddenly brought media’s attention on Jerald Withers, a schoolboy whose actions brought people into disbelief.

A Normal Afternoon

Jerald Wither, 11-years-old studies in Festus Intermediate School in fifth grade. It looked like every other day when Jerald left for school that morning, however, it wasn’t going to end at the same note. When he was on the school bus, Jerald noticed something weird, that wasn’t there ever before. But how was he so sure that it should not be there? The answer lies behind Jerald’s silent nature.

A Little Observer

Jerald has never been the over-talkative types. The boy’s personality was more of an observer. That’s how he has always been. One of those people who actually do some thinking before speaking. This is one great habit which was in the little boy since his birth while many people don’t learn it their whole lives. So, this keen observer of things was heading to school that day when something didn’t seem right.

On The Window Seat

Jerald loves to take the window seat and that day also he was sitting on his favorite spot, and doing his favorite thing, ie, looking out of the window. That’s his daily routine, to sit and relax and enjoy the outside scenery. He has been doing the same thing over the past years that one can say that he got more familiar with the scenery than the bus driver itself. So, what was it that he noticed, which forced him to take an action?

The Tricky Bridge

It was early morning, and just another day for Jerald Withers. While everyone was busy discussing their assignments, Jerald, as usual, was busy looking outside the window. That’s when he noticed something so strange under a bridge that it will not let him concentrate on anything else for the rest of the day. What stopped him from taking any action at that moment was the fact that he himself couldn’t understand what he just saw. 

Confirming

Jerald tried confirming it with the boy sitting next to him, to see what he just saw. Unlike Jerald, the boy couldn’t notice anything that was noticeable as well as uncommon. Seeing his mate so sure that there’s nothing outside, Jerald too tried to believe that it was just his misunderstanding. By the time he looked outside to be sure, the place was left far behind.

School-Time up

The whole time in school, Jerald couldn’t concentrate. He knew that place, he used to look at it daily, and he knew that something was off but exactly what? He eagerly waited for school time to get over so that he can take a look at it. His curiosity made it an adventure for him. The 11-year-old wanted to discover the truth.

Ran To Bus

As soon as the final bell rang, Jerald rushed to the bus to grab a window seat on the side from where he could get a clear view of the spot. The boy waited for the bus to start and as soon as it did, he was waiting for that one sight and when he did see, he knew he just cannot keep sitting there and do nothing.

Mysterious Object

So, on the daily route to home, through Jefferson County Bridge, the boy saw something shining. He tried to focus but the bus was speeding up. Although this time also the boy couldn’t really finalize what this thing was he decided to tell an elder about it. He rushed to the front seat of the bus, ie, the driver’s seat to tell him what he just saw. 

Stop The Bus!

Jerald told the bus driver to stop the bus as they have to check what was out there. Instead of stopping the bus right away, the driver asked the boy that what was it that he exactly saw and Jerald didn’ know the answer to this one. Even after not knowing what it was, Jerald insisted on taking a look at it, but will the driver listen to an 11-year-old?

Face-Off

Jerald never talked much nor he ever behaved like the way he was doing that day before. The driver was shocked to see Jerald being stubborn and that too about something that according to the bus driver wasn’t even necessary. The driver tried to be quite clear with the boy to keep moving forward.

Strict Schedule

As Jerald wasn’t ready to give up, the bus driver told him that they have come far away from the bridge now. He told the young boy that they cannot turn the bus around just to check on something lying on the roadside or under the bridge. As the bus driver had a strict schedule to adhere to otherwise any parent might complain of their kids being dropped home late and that will affect the driver’s job. The boy has to give up.

Seeing the boy disappointed, the driver told him what this thing was… Wait, how did the driver know?

A Large Shadowy Figure

Well, the bus driver didn’t know but to convince the boy he said that he knew. Yes, Jerald couldn’t name what he saw but it was a huge shadowy figure and he just wanted to know what it was. That’s when the bus driver said it was most probably a deer. Jerald felt like it was a waste to argue with the driver anymore. But was it just a deer?

It Has To Be Deer

According to the bus driver, the area that surrounds the Route P bridge was a rural area which was full of deer. Every other day, they get in front of the car and get themselves hurt. Across the road, there was a pond where they can drink water and that is the reason why they cross the road every now and then. So, according to him, it was just a fully grown deer.

Angry Tone

Jerald was asked to get back to his seat by the bus driver and not to disturb him while he is driving. He sounded rude and the boy didn’t like his behavior at all as everyone on the bus was now staring Jerald. After all, he had been thinking about it the whole day long. But then he couldn’t even oppose the driver so he has to sit and wait to reach home. 

All Eyes On Him

The young boy was least bothered by the other kids’ reaction who were looking at him as if he was some weirdo. He was sure that it cannot be a deer anyway as a deer cannot be that big and that shiny. The boy had a point but who would take him there? Being a kid comes with its own perks and obligations this situation made Jerald feel it.

While Jerald was disappointed that it is now over and he will never be able to know what was going on under that bridge, something will get his voice heard to the right person.

Home Alone

When the boy reached home, his mother, Brandy Overturf wasn’t home. She gave him an extra key for such days when she has to go somewhere out, So, Jerald got in and lay on the bed and kept thinking about it over and over again. What disturbed him more wasn’t the driver’s anger but the fact that he would never know the truth behind the shiny object…

No One To Speak To

Usually, Jerald tells about how was his day to his mother but that day, there was no one he could speak to. Unlike other days when Jerald used to feel happy about being home alone, he was sad. He needed his mother to be there for him and so he called her. Brandy was out for grocery shopping when she received her son’s call.

Low Voice

His mother felt that Jerald wasn’t having a good day. She promised to be back within an hour and also told that his grandfather, Bob Bruenger too will be back any moment now. Jerald kept the phone without saying a word and this started worrying his mother. She waited for the long queue to move quickly so that she could be with her son.

Grandpa’s Home

As Brandy told Jerald over the phone, his grandpa returned home in next 5 minutes of disconnecting the call. Bob was surprised to see Jerald sitting quietly on the couch. That’s not how Jerald normally behaved, something was wrong but his grandpa didn’t ask.

No Games

Jerald was a playful kid who went outside to play soccer or stayed in playing Xbox and this was a part of his daily routine. He just couldn’t stay without the game but he didn’t even move from the couch that day. When his mother returned home, she too felt that something was really wrong with him. And so she asked…

A Troubled Boy

When his grandfather told Brandy about how he has been sitting there doing nothing since an hour, she finally tried to understand the matter. She has not only been a mother to him but also his first friend he would come to when things don’t seem right. 

Concerned Mother

Jerald told Brandy about the whole incident and she understood it immediately that her son didn’t believe the driver’s theory. She could feel it that Jerald was still stuck at the thing he saw but couldn’t really get a chance to see closely. In order to make her son feel better, Brandy decided to take things into her hands.

Going In For A Closer Look

Brandy knew her son well enough that he would never insist on something useless. “[Withers] knew deep down that is was something – it was not a deer. He went with his instinct.” Brandy later on recalled in an interview. She showed faith in her son and drove with him to the exact location to see what this whole fuss was about.

An Accident

Jerald’s guts were right, when they reached the location, it was an injured motorcyclist. “He looked really stiff so I thought he might have died,” Jerald remembered in an interview. His mother immediately called 911 while Jerald tried to understand what was the deal with this shiny object. So, he walked a little more and got the explanation.

Honda CBR

The shiny object that he saw from the bus was a Honda CBR 1100XX motorcycle. It was the bike and the shadow nearby was the driver himself. The bike crashed a bit away from the bridge while the driver fell on the corner under the bridge. His injuries were severe and he needed immediate support.

Serious Case 

Within 20 minutes, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrived on the spot. The man who met this accident was Billy McMahan, a 36-year-old who resided in Bonne Terre. The bike was in speed when it slipped and got off the road on the side and later under the bridge. But did this man survived?

Rushed To Mercy Hospital

Jerald and his mother reached the location before dawn and this was the only reason they find him alive. Brandy reported of the incident around 4:00 pm. But McMahan was lying there from way too long because when the State Patrol arrived, the motorcycle engine was cold. They immediately took him to the Mercy hospital.

Would Have Frozen To Death

Paramedics and staff told that he was bad enough and there was merely any chance for him to survive till the next morning as his pneumonia would have gotten worse enough to take his life. The whole night doctors too couldn’t say if the man will survive or not but by the morning it became clear.

Thanks To The Boy

The man was finally out of danger. “Who knows how long he’d even been out there… he was there for some hours. If Jerald hadn’t noticed McMahan, he probably would have frozen to death and not made it through the night,” told Mercy Hospital paramedics. For Jerald, saving the man’s life was the only important part but there was something more that will be a result of his actions.

So Proud Of Her Son

Brandy Overturf was so proud of her son. “Words can’t even describe it, It’s amazing. I’m so proud of you buddy,” she said later on. The mother-son duo certainly made a few things clear to the world that everyone should know.

Motorcycle Enthusiast

Jerald’s grandfather, Bob Bruenger, himself was a professional was a motorcyclist and even today never misses a chance to drive his beloved bike that’s mostly in the garage. The old man felt honored to have a grandson like Jerald.

Making His Family Proud

Jerald’s grandfather got tears in his eyes when he said, “He’s a great kid, He’s always worried about other people [more] than he is himself.” He was glad that they brought up such a kind-hearted boy who cares about others and knows the importance of humanity.

He Could Have Died

“I’m thankful that I saw him. It’s just crazy to think… that he could have died and that he’s alive right now – it’s really cool,” recalled Jerald in an interview. The man was so thankful for the young boy caring enough to save his life. He personally went to meet him and thank him.

Congratulations From The Green Bay Packers

Jerald’s great job was highly appreciated and came in the notice of his favorite football team too. The Green Bay Packers decided to do something special for the 11-year-old. Jerald wasn’t even aware nor he did any of this to be rewarded. Yet, no one could deny the fact that his heroic action deserves respect. What did the team plan for him?

Especially For You

The Green Bay Packers sent him an autographed picture of, Aaron Rodgers, who is Jerald’s favorite football player. Along with that, they sent him some more fan gears. The most significant of all was a letter, written by the team, especially for the little hero.

Letter Of Recognition

In this personal letter, the NFL mentioned, “It is our understanding that you are a loyal fan of the Green Bay Packers. So, on behalf of the entire Green Bay Packers organization, I would like to express our deepest appreciation to you.” The letter had more to say on the team’s behalf.

A Local Hero

It read, “We would also like to commend you on saving the life of Billy McMahan from his motorcycle accident. What you did was very brave and you should be very proud.” Jerald was appreciated over several news channels. His friends too walked up to him and asked him to give them all the details of what happened on that day.

Making The News

KSDK anchor Ray Strickland was quite interested in Jerald’s story. He personally went o interview Jerald and his family. Meeting a young boy with so much enthusiast was an honor, “As an 11-year-old, for Jerald to have the wherewithal, on a loud and distracting school bus, to see a man in need and want to help was unbelievable.”

A True Hero

Strickland also added, “Even when his bus driver thought he was seeing things, [Withers] told his family, ‘No, I know what I saw, and we need to go there.’ That showed real courage.” Indeed, the boy followed his gut feeling and his mother believed in him if it wasn’t Jerald and his mother’s efforts, the man wouldn’t be alive today.

Trusting In Himself

It is very important to listen to what a kid has to say. Especially parents have this responsibility to trust their children and give them the freedom to follow their instincts at least once in a while so that they can learn from their experiences.