Firefighters win praise for response to boy's traumatic accident


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NORTH SALT LAKE — Parents of a child who was burned in a freak accident credit the firefighter-paramedics from Station 85 in North Salt Lake for being one of the major reasons their son is doing so well today.

Harvey Lloyd turns 2 years old this week. By looking at him, you would never know that one year ago he was involved in a traumatic accident.

"As I was loading the crock pot into the refrigerator, I didn't lift it high enough and it hit the bottom of the shelf," explained his mother, Becky Lloyd.

One inch and slippery hot pads was all it took. As the crock pot fell, 11-month-old Harvey was covered in scalding liquid. Becky rushed him to the bathtub and soaked him in cold water.

"I'm wiping off his face and as I'm wiping, the skin just peeled off," she said.

In shock, Becky called 911. She said she and her husband, Jason Lloyd, will never forget the compassionate response from the firefighter-paramedics at the South Davis Metro Fire Agency's Station 85.

"Within three to four minutes the paramedics arrived. They were so fast," she said. "They had to put the straps on over the burn injuries. I know that must have been hard for them."


I'm glad there are people out there willing to sacrifice and take jobs that don't pay the best so they can help people out.

–Jason Lloyd


"It's the worst thing ever to be 20 minutes from the worst thing happening in your life and trying to get there," Jason said. "These guys calmed her down. They calmed him down, and they made the right decisions."

Harvey was taken directly to the University of Utah Burn Center. He suffered second and third degree burns.

"I walked in and walked right back out and was in tears. He was unrecognizable. I wouldn't have known it was my son," Jason said.

Harvey's recovery over the last year has been difficult but remarkable. He hasn't needed skin grafts and though he has some scarring, his skin continues to heal. His parents in part credit the firefighter-paramedics for their care in those first few minutes.

Photo: KSL-TV
Photo: KSL-TV

"I'm glad there are people out there willing to sacrifice and take jobs that don't pay the best so they can help people out. It means a lot to us," Jason said.

KSL visited Station 85 this week to give the firefighter-paramedics a high-five. It was the first time the Lloyds had seen them since the accident. Watch the video to see the reunion.

One of the firefighters said, "We remember Harvey and Becky really well, and the opportunity we had to go and help them. It was a nightmare in any parent's dream to have such a horrific accident to their little one."

The high-five included $500 from America First for the firefighter-paramedics. The Station 85 crew unexpectedly turned the tables on the Lloyds and gave them the $500.

"Oh my word, this was not how this was supposed to go," Becky said.

Chief Jeff Bassett of the South Davis Metro Fire Agency said, "For them to turn and know the medical bills are probably very high, and to give back to (the Lloyds) so they can take care of those bills, that says everything about what my people are and what they represent."

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