Town Staffer Helps To Save Child's Life After LI Crash: Officials

FLANDERS, NY — A Southampton Town employee helped to save the life of a little girl critically injured in a Flanders crash Thursday, officials said.

According to New York State Police, at 11:40 a.m., Southampton Town Police received a call regarding a crash on Flanders Road.

Both drivers were taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment and have been released; the child was taken first to Peconic Bay Medical Center and then to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition, police said.

Officials said Southampton Town Animal Control Officer Colleen Kidd, "quickly sprang into action."

Kidd, a former volunteer EMS provider and new member of the Town of Southampton’s department of public safety and emergency management animal control division, as well as animal control officer Mike Lorenz, were nearby when the two-car crash took place, town officials said.

After hearing the crash, both raced to the scene, Public Safety and Emergency Management Administrator Ryan Murphy said. Bystanders pulled "an unresponsive child" from one of the vehicles; Kidd quickly made her way to the child and began immediately performing CPR, he said.

“She was unresponsive when I got to her,” Kidd said.

Kidd continued performing CPR on the child and was joined by Lorenz, who directed traffic around the scene to help maintain safety until police arrived, as well, officials said.

The child was transported to the hospital by Flanders-Northampton Volunteer Ambulance, who continued work to resuscitate the child.

“We are so proud of the actions of Colleen and Mike,” said Murphy. “Thanks to the quick actions of ACO Kidd, the child is alive right now and will hopefully have a successful recovery.”

Both Southampton Town and New York State Police responded to the scene.

Flanders Road was closed for hours between Long Neck Boulevard and Pleasure Drive, police said.

Speaking with Patch, Murphy commended Kidd's quick actions. "We are absolutely so proud of the fact that she's on our staff. The effort she put forth today is above and beyond the call of duty."

The crash is still under investigation and New York State Police are asking anyone with information to call 631-756-3300.