Modesto Girl Called Hero For Saving Younger Child
MODESTO (CBS13) - A 10-year-old girl is being hailed a hero for risking her own life to save another child.
Surveillance video shows Flora Ortega cross the street with a bag in her hand. She turns around and then a driver hits the girl.
Witnesses say what you can't see is a young child following Flora. She rushed to keep him from crossing the street and she got hit instead.
"Definitely, definitely she is a hero," her teacher, Suzanne Guzzi said.
Flora's teacher says the young girl is always eager to help.
"To hear it was Flora didn't surprise me because she is such a caring child. She would do anything for anyone in need," Guzzi said.
Taco truck workers say Flora was with a younger child buying tacos for her dad not far from the family's south Modesto home.
Monday, some residents criticized the girl's father for allowing her to walk to the food truck and cross the usually busy street.
"What was that kid doing at 10:30 at night to be saving him?" Marco Gonzalez asked. "Where's the parents of that kid?"
As Flora recovers from injuries at an area children's hospital, her teacher offered the family support.
"I want to me down there with her and let her know I'm here for her and let dad know I'm here for him," she said. "Any way I can help the family."
