Boy recovering after ATV crash

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. -- Doctors have called a young Gaston County boy a miracle. In July, he darted in the path of an on-coming car while riding an ATV without a helmet and survived. Now his family is struggling with some very difficult news: Doctors will not be able to save his leg.

Seven-year-old Andrew Hastings is all boy. He loves playing football, basketball, and running.

“We used to call him ‘Flash’ because he's so fast,” said Andrew’s mother, Jaira Elizabeth Hastings.

“I used to be,” said Andrew.

Without this brace, Andrew doesn't get around very easy. Last July, he was hit by a car while riding his ATV.

“You could see clearly his leg was broken, you could see the bones were coming out of both sides of his legs,” said Jaira Elizabeth.

Andrew underwent several surgeries, but the bones in his left leg haven't healed. He has extensive nerve damage, and only 20 percent of his calf muscles.

“Basically you look at his leg and you see skin but underneath the skin there's nothing in there,” said Jaira Elizabeth.

Doctors say his leg will have to be amputated next week

“I see his leg now, and I think, ‘Why does that have to come off?’ I do know here (she points to her head) that this is what's going to happen, it's just hard to tell it to your heart,” said Jaira Elizabeth.

It’s hard to tell a 7-year-old boy.

“I think he has a lot of fears and concerns that his friends are going to make fun of him at school and he's never going to get married. I mean, a 7-year-old talking about marriage?” said Jaira Elizabeth.

But to WCNC, he is tough. He says he’s not scared at all.

“No! I'm scared of the adult size football,” said Andrew.

He says he has one concern about losing his leg.

“I can't do heelies, that will be bad. Or wheelies,” said Andrew.

So no more wearing sneakers with wheels in the heels. The family has been educating themselves on what's to come.

“We've been trying to get on the phone and meet other amputees,” said Jaira Elizabeth.

They want to show Andrew not what he’s losing, but what he’s gaining.

“They have given us hope that he will do those things again,” said Hastings.

Andrew’s surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. He will spend several days in the hospital recovering and will then be fitted for a prosthesis.

Friends are hosting a fundraiser to assist the Hastings with the medical bills: “Port-a-Pit” Chicken Fundraiser, Friday, Jan. 25 at Belmont Foursquare Church, 8 Elizabeth St., Belmont. The cost is $8 per plate.