9-year-old speaks out after helping to save parents amid tornado
A 9-year-old is opening up after helping to save his parents after a deadly EF-4 tornado ripped through Oklahoma.
"I was really, really scared," Branson, 9, recounted to ABC News of being caught in the severe weather on April 27 with his parents Wayne and Lindy Baker in the town of Dickson.
The Baker family had been racing to safety and driving to their friend's storm cellar.
"We could pretty much see this tornado within about a mile and two miles away from us," Wayne Baker told ABC News. "But as we turned, the tornado turned itself."
Oklahoma Gov. J. Kevin Stitt said that at least four people were killed in the storms that slammed his state.
Branson is now being credited for helping to save his parents after the tornado uprooted a tree, hitting the Bakers' truck and trapping Wayne and Lindy Baker. Branson was able to escape and ran over a mile to get help.
"As soon as I went to go get help, I said, 'Don't die,'" Branson recalled telling his parents before he started running.
"Branson sprung into action really quick," Wayne Baker said. "He's very courageous for a 9-year-old boy. Not many adults would have done what he did."
Wayne Baker's brother Johnny Baker was on the phone with the family as the tree collided with the Bakers' truck.
"About that time, you start hearing some dinging on the glass, like, maybe hail and then boom. And the phone went silent," Johnny Baker recalled.
Johnny Baker said he and his wife rushed to the scene and his wife called 911. After first responders arrived, Branson also returned with help.
Wayne Baker is now recovering from back, neck and arm injuries while Lindy Baker remains in the hospital.
The father grew emotional speaking about his son's courage in the face of uncertainty.
"You couldn't be more proud to be a father of a son that can accept a challenge that way," Wayne Baker said. "Shows that he would go above and beyond for anyone."
The day after the Bakers were injured, Branson had a baseball game. He said he hit a home run and turned a double play and he did it all for his mom and dad.
