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Girl Who Lost Feet In Lawnmower Accident Meets Her Hero

TAMPA (AP) — A Tampa Bay area toddler whose feet were amputated after her father accidentally backed over her with a riding lawnmower had a special meeting with her hero.

Ireland Nugent, 2, has often been seen clutching a stuffed animal of Winter, the dolphin with a prosthetic tail, in her wheelchair since the April 11 accident. She even carried the toy with her when she left the hospital nearly a month after the accident.

On Saturday, she got to meet the real Winter the dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

She initially cried, but soon reached out and touched the mammal.

Winter lost her tail to a crab trap and has become an ambassador to those who have lost limbs.

Ireland underwent seven surgeries and will be fitted for prosthetic feet in the coming weeks.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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