Youth life-saver honored for bravery

For The Madera Tribune

Joshua Helton, Barbara Helton’s 11-year-old son, came to her rescue after a medical emergency while she was driving. Joshua was honored at the Madera Board of Supervisors on Dec. 14.

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While traveling east on Avenue 9 in November, Barbara Helton had a medical emergency.

Joshua Helton, Barbara’s 11-year-old son, came to the rescue. Out of instinct, Josh took over the car by grabbing the steering wheel and controlling it. As he steered the car with one hand, he was on the phone with a dispatcher.

Unfortunately, the car did strike an oncoming car, but because of Josh, the magnitude of the collision was far less than what it could have been if he didn’t jump into action. When the cars collided, Joshua was already in the process of trying to pull the car over to safety. With just a few seconds to act without any preparation, Joshua was able to strategize and prioritize the assistance that was all needed in that few scary minutes. Joshua did not buckle under pressure.

Joshua was presented with multiple awards at the Madera Board of Supervisors on Dec. 14. Troop 117 Boys Scouts Leader, Rod Chaney, District-Vice Chair Tim Escobedo, Troop 117 Committee VFW Taryn Mendonca and the Troop-117B Scoutmaster was all there to see Helton receive the awards.

Veteran of Foreign Wars representatives Miranda LaCount, Royal Goodman, Ed Rosen was there, in addition to his family — George Helton (grandfather) and Daniel Minch (father) — in addition to family friends Kaylee Heiss and Corissa Heiss.

CHP Officer H. Baker was on the scene that helped Joshua. Brett Frazier, Board of Supervisors District 1 Supervisor presented a proclamation, CHP Lt. H. Madrigal also presented awards. So, all together, Helton received a proclamation by the Board of Supervisors, Certificate of Community Service for Bravery and Good Judgement.