Andre “Trey” Howard III was critically injured on Friday protecting his sister. The heroic child was struck with debris following the deadly plane crash that rocked Northeast Philadelphia. Now, his dad is sharing his first words after emergency surgery — and they’re so sweet.
In one of multiple plane disasters the past week, a medical jet carrying six passengers crashed by the Roosevelt Mall on Friday, killing everyone inside and one person on the ground. At least 24 others were injured as a result of the crash. Trey was in a car with his father and siblings, ages 4 and 7, at the time picking up donuts when debris started falling on them. His dad Andre Ward Jr. told ABC News on Monday:
“Sounded like a missile was firing bullets, metal at my car, everyone else’s car. You see a car on fire, a man walking on fire. It was just crazy.”
So scary!
As the debris was flying around, Andre told the kids to “get down” and then Trey noticed his 4-year-old sister get back up to look at a nearby fire, so he grabbed her. That’s when Andre “heard the glass shatter” and looked back to find “there’s a piece of metal sticking out of my son’s head from the plane.” Horrifying! He grabbed a used sock and a man’s shirt to stop the bleeding, and police quickly ushered the child and family to a hospital where he went in for emergency brain surgery.
Video: Man Who Lost Family In DC Plane Crash Makes CNN Anchor Sob
Miraculously, the 10-year-old survived — and he had a really important question to ask when he woke up! You’ll never guess the first thing on his mind! His father recalled:
“He asked me, ‘Daddy, what’s today?’ I was like, ‘Monday.’ ‘OK, wait. We didn’t play yesterday did we?’ ‘No, you didn’t miss the Super Bowl.'”
Oh my gosh. So cute — we’re glad he didn’t miss it! Someone better get him some Super Bowl and Philadelphia Eagles swag to celebrate his recovery! Maybe Jason Kelce can come pay him a visit!
The next thing Trey wanted to know as he started to remember what happened was also incredibly telling. He asked his dad:
“Daddy, did I save my sister?”
Just like us right now, Andre said the comment “had me crying.” Trey continued to say:
“‘You told us to get down. I was just trying to help my sister … next thing I know, I thought I died.'”
We cannot imagine how frightening that must have been — but what an incredible big brother he is for protecting his sister!!
Amid his hospital recovery, Trey already got a surprise visit from one of his favorite NBA players, 76ers star Tyrese Maxey, Andre shared:
“He says thank you to everybody. He cries, ‘Daddy, I’m a celebrity.’ ‘No, you’re bigger than a celebrity. You’re a superhero.'”
Aw!
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family raise money for medical expenses not covered by insurance. To help out, donate HERE. Hear more from the father (below):
We’re wishing little Trey well as he recovers. We hope he gets to have fun watching the Super Bowl!!
[Image via Andre Ward/Facebook.]