Skiatook Family Injured In OSU Homecoming Crash Tell Survival Story

A Skiatook family hurt in the OSU Homecoming parade crash is home and healing.

At seven years old, Madison Atwell was one of the youngest people injured. Her aunt and grandma were also hurt when a car slammed into the crowd.

All three survived.

Even though her dad is an OU fan, 7-year-old Maddie loves OSU.

“My dad likes OU, but he says it's OK for me to like OSU,” she said.

Maddie's aunt Kayleigh is a junior at OSU; that's one of the reasons Maddie likes the school so much. She also said she like the colors, but mostly she's a fan of the mascots, Pistol Pete and Bullet.

Maddie was ready to meet the mascots and go to her first football game the weekend of OSU homecoming, but first, the family would go to the parade.

Special Coverage: OSU Parade Tragedy

“You're happy and watching a parade with your family, and two seconds later you're getting hit by a car,” Kayleigh said.

Maddie, her grandma, Debbie, and Kayleigh were thrown in different directions; Kayleigh's knee was smashed, Debbie's hips and legs were hurt, but Maddie was worse.

“I couldn't get up and walk because of my legs, so I literally crawled,” Debbie said. “And she reached back, and she kept hold of my hand and she said, 'Gigi, is this a dream? Are we dreaming?' And I said, 'No baby this is real.'”

The second grader broke six ribs, had a bad head injury, a bruised lung and needed 23 stitches. She was flown to OU Medical Center.

She doesn't remember much, except someone in the crowd saved her.

“I think someone went over me and then kind of guarded me, like a shield,” she said.

The family still isn't sure who helped Maddie that morning; but, in the days to come, the stars of Oklahoma helped the healing process begin.

Like the OSU football team and pom squad, and Thunder basketball players Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

And, when OSU played Baylor, someone donated the family tickets, so Madison finally got go to a game and get a picture with Pete.

More than $18,000 was raised for the family through an online fundraising site, and several thousand dollars were raised through community fundraisers in Skiatook.

The family said they're in the process of writing thank you notes to the many people who have given money, food and support since the crash.

“Some of the comments they've sent are so precious,” Debbie said. “So much outpouring of love and prayers, just overwhelming; it really has been.”