Girl's Frantic Facebook Post Saves Father's Life

Brianna Vance went online for help after storm knocked out cellphone signals.

ByABC News
June 16, 2014, 7:58 AM

— -- A West Virginia girl is being credited with saving her father’s life, thanks to a frantic online plea.

Brianna Vance, 10, turned to Facebook after a severe storm tore through her family’s Henlawson neighborhood June 10. Her father, Gregory Vance, and two friends had been sitting on the front porch when a huge tree came crashing down on top of them.

The storm knocked out cellphone signals, and the house had no land-line. But somehow, Brianna was able to get online.

“The lightning crashed and hit a tree by our porch and my dad’s almost dead,” she wrote. “He needs an ambulance please. Please call one for us if you have a signal. We live in a yellow house.”

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For Brianna, social media seemed like her only option.

“I was scared. I needed help. My dad needed help,” she said. “So I had to post that.”

Someone saw her online plea and called 911, and rescue crews arrived. The men were rushed to the hospital, where they were treated and later released.

Henlawson (Logan County) Fire Department Lt. Tim Granger said Brianna’s quick thinking saved the day.

“This is the real hero, that little girl, and I hope she gets recognized for her heroism,” Granger said.

As her dad recovered from his injuries, Brianna shared a special Father’s Day message.

“I hope you get well soon,” she said, “because you are the best dad I could ever ask for.”