The ‘heroes’ of Piatt County: Meet the 2 sons who saved their dad’s life after UTV accident

CISCO, Ill. (WCIA) — A dad in Piatt County is lucky to be alive, not only because of the work of first responders but because of the quick actions of his kids. On Thursday, they were recognized in a special way in Monticello.

Back in September, Randy Hicks was finishing up chores outside on their 19-acre Cisco farm with his two sons. Then, his UTV flipped with him and Asher, his 3-year-old, inside.

Randy was trapped underneath, but Asher was able to climb out. He was the first "hero" to jump into action and run to his mom and older brother, Xander, at the house.

"I didn't know what happened," Xander said. "But we saw Asher come up running and saying 'Daddy's hurt! Daddy's hurt!'"

Xander is 10 and showed it doesn't take a badge or "super suit" to be a hero.

"I had to call 911. I had to tell them where we are, our location and what the situation was," he described.

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Crystal Hicks, his mom, was there the whole time and even tried to lift the UTV off of her husband at one point. She said Xander did 99% of the talking with the 911 operator and even held a paper towel to Randy's arm where the main injury happened.

First responders from multiple counties went to the farm within minutes to care for Randy.

"We did whatever we could on the ground. Loaded him up into the aircraft and we took him over to Carle," Nic Farris, a flight nurse, said.

But, without the quick help of the kids, he said the outcome could've been very different.

That's why Xander and Asher are Kirby Medical Center's newest "community heroes."

"I feel honored," Xander said.

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His parents couldn't be more proud of their kids' quick thinking.

"I probably be dead or wouldn't have my arm if Asher hadn't been with me," Randy explained.

All of the first responders who were there are thankful for Asher's sprint to his mom, and Xander's 911 call to them.

"It's amazing. I hope they come to be paramedics one day," Alyssa Price, a paramedic, said.

Randy had a wide cut across his arm, tore some ligaments, broke a bone in his arm, hut part of his shoulder and messed up nerves in his ankle and foot. He said no major arteries or nerves were hit. He has already had surgery and has more meetings with doctors coming up. All things considered, he said he's "feeling good" and should eventually be back to 100%.