A retired Navy SEAL turned congressman used improvised first aid to save a child’s life after a deadly crash on Interstate 35, underscoring the fragility of rural emergency response.
At a Glance
- Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL, aided crash victims on I-35 near Osceola, Iowa, on August 16, 2025.
- An 11-year-old boy, Sawyer Whitt, was critically injured but survived due to improvised first aid.
- Emergency responders arrived more than ten minutes after the accident.
- Bystanders, including Van Orden, used socks, scrap metal, and a wiper blade as makeshift medical tools.
- The case highlights rural America’s reliance on citizen intervention during crises.
Heroism on Interstate 35
The accident on Interstate 35 near Osceola, Iowa, unfolded when a minivan collided with a semi-truck, leaving several injured and an 11-year-old boy, Sawyer Whitt, bleeding heavily. Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, traveling with his wife, witnessed the crash and immediately moved to assist. Drawing on his military medic training, Van Orden and others constructed makeshift tourniquets from socks, fashioned splints from scrap metal, and used a windshield wiper blade to stabilize wounds. These measures bought critical minutes until paramedics arrived more than ten minutes later.
Watch now: Navy SEAL Congressman Rescues Boy After Crash · YouTube
The joint effort of Van Orden, a local farmer, and an off-duty medic ensured Sawyer’s survival and demonstrated how ordinary citizens can save lives when time is short. The congressman’s actions drew national attention, not for their political undertone, but for the immediacy of a life saved through quick thinking and decisive action.
Delayed Response and Rural Risks
The crash has raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of rural communities, where emergency services often struggle to respond quickly. In sparsely populated stretches of highway, minutes can mean the difference between life and death. Analysts note that rural families regularly face long waits for medical support, leaving bystanders as the first and sometimes only line of defense.
According to trauma specialists, uncontrolled bleeding is one of the leading preventable causes of death in accidents. Improvised tourniquets and splints, such as those applied on I-35, are effective techniques that can stabilize victims until professional care is available. The Whitt family’s ordeal illustrates this reality, showing how preparedness and citizen initiative fill the gap left by delayed emergency systems.
There is also a deep irony in the fact that GOP-supported budget cuts are likely to further weaken emergency response systems in the very rural red state regions most dependent on them.
Training, Community, and Lessons Learned
The incident has prompted renewed discussions around first aid training and community preparedness. Public health experts emphasize that in rural settings, bystander intervention is often decisive. Programs such as “Stop the Bleed” encourage civilians to learn trauma care basics, but participation remains inconsistent.
The Osceola crash underscores the broader lesson that survival often depends on what those nearby can do before an ambulance arrives. Van Orden’s leadership was critical, but so too was the cooperation of strangers who worked together under pressure. This collaboration not only stabilized victims but also highlighted the resilience of communities when facing crises without immediate institutional support.
A Personal and National Moment
The aftermath saw an emotional hospital reunion between Van Orden and young Sawyer, whose life had hung in the balance on the roadside. The episode has drawn widespread media coverage, reflecting both admiration for the individuals involved and concern over systemic shortcomings.
The Iowa crash illustrates a dual truth: while government emergency services play a crucial role, they cannot always arrive in time, particularly in rural regions. The ability of trained or determined bystanders to improvise can mean the difference between tragedy and survival. It is a reminder that resilience lies not only in systems, but in the skills and readiness of individuals willing to act.
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