Parents thank principal for helping injured teen
A Butler family says they are thankful for a school principal who jumped into action after a student was hit by a vehicle while walking to school Wednesday morning.
Andrew Bowser, 14, was taken to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh after he was struck by a side-door mirror of a work van around 6:50 a.m. at the intersection of Hansen Avenue and Pillow Street.
Andrew, an eight-grade student, was on his way to Butler Intermediate High School from his father's house in the city, his mother Carla Bowser said.
When word of the accident reached the front office of the school, about a half-mile away, principal Stephen Dobransky rushed down to the scene.
“I treat these kids like they're my own, and like it was one of my kids lying on the street,” Dobransky said. “I was shocked and very concerned for their well being.”
Since the boy's parents were not immediately called to the scene, Dobransky rode with him in the ambulance and stayed with him at the hospital until they arrived.
“He was scared, he was injured and he (Dobransky) went with him. He didn't have to do that and we are so thankful,” Carla said.
Doren Bowser, Andrew's father, said Dobransky also called them while they were still en route to Pittsburgh with an update about his condition.
“We wouldn't have known anything until we got to the hospital, which would have made it an even worse sinking feeling than it was,” Doren Bowser said.
Though they believe he will make a full recovery, Andrew was banged up and spent Wednesday night at the hospital before being released Thursday.
He suffered a hairline fracture on his collarbone, got three staples on the back of his head, five stitches on his chin and has a concussion. He has no memory of the accident.
He is recovering at home and hopes to return to school Monday for at least half of the day, Carla said.
“They said if he doesn't work his brain too hard he will be OK,” she said.
It was a scary day for the family and Andrew's parents said they wanted to recognize Dobransky for going above and beyond his duties as principal.
“It goes to show you that there are still good people out there,” Doren said. “I thank him for doing that and taking the time out to ride with Andrew to keep him from being lonely and scared and keeping us updated.”
