West Park Boy Falls From Tree, Lands On Spiked Fence & Survives

WEST PARK (CBS4) - A 10-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital after paramedics say he suffered a life threatening fall while trying to reach a mango in a tree.

The Broward Sheriff's Office tells us the child fell 18 feet from of a tree and landed on a fence with spikes on it that are several inches long. Paramedics say the child suffered several puncture wounds on his torso -- including one near his heart -- and a cut on his face near his eye.

First responders say a Good Samaritan -- Prince Moore -- saved the child's life.

Moore told CBS 4 he was washing a car just a few feet from where the boy fell.

"I was shocked from seeing him and I yelled, 'Aah! Call 911,'" Moore said.

Moore said his instincts took over.

"I had got my t-shirt and pulled it off of me and wrapped it around his chest and hold my hand over that hole so the blood don't rush out," he said. "He don't lose too much but he lost a lot of blood but he's doing good though now."

Moore is a close family friend of the boy who he identified as Angel Dotel. Paramedics with Broward Sheriff's Fire Rescue say if Moore had not been there it might have been a different outcome.

"(His actions were) very significant," said Lt. Scott Pollard. "Without a doubt. Those moments that he took to stop and address those injuries were absolutely paramount."

Paramedics took the child to Memorial Regional in Hollywood. They say the child was alert and talkative during the ride to the hospital.

"He was a brave strong kid," Pollard said. "(He) did a great job."

The boy's older brother, Kelvin Encarnacion, is grateful to Prince Moore for his life saving actions. He also know that a few inches one way or another and Angel might have had no chance at surviving the fall.

"The stuff on the gate missed all the important stuff on his body, like his heart, his lung and all that," Encarnacion said.

Encarnacion says doctors told the family Angel might be home in about 5 days.

The owner of the property near the tree says he wants this tree to come down.