BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Amin Guil, a 10-year-old Afghan boy struck by a civilian car Jan. 30 between Kabul and Bagram Airfield, has entered the next stage of his recovery when he was taken off of life support.
 The boy was in critical condition when he arrived at Craig Joint Theater Hospital with several broken bones in his lower extremities, including a broken pelvis.
He was conscious when he arrived at the hospital and underwent extensive surgery where Coalition doctors stabilized his pelvis and other broken bones, said Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Nicole Thomas, a paediatrician. Despite the Coalition doctor’s efforts, the injuries to Amin’s lower right leg were too severe to be repaired and surgeons amputated his leg below the knee.
Coalition vehicles were traveling from the capital city of Kabul to Bagram Jan. 30 when Servicemembers saw a civilian vehicle suddenly pull to the side of the road. As the convoy cautiously approached, the Soldiers saw a small child lying on the side of the road. The convoy stopped to provide assistance, along with another Afghan motorist.
A Coalition medic immediately assessed the child’s injuries and began first aid procedures.
According to Said Faqeer, the boy’s grandfather, Amin, who is the sole provider for his four younger siblings, was working on the road filling in ditches so he could buy food when he was hit and then dragged by a car. The vehicle hit Amin between 2 and 3 p.m. and drove away without stopping.
“Everything was happening so fast,” a Coalition soldier from the convoy said. “The first thing that came to mind was to help the boy. We just wanted to save his life. When we got there, the boy had already lost a lot of blood.”
The Coalition medic determined Amin, who is from Qarabagh district in Kabul province, suffered from a compound leg fracture, broken pelvis and several serious abrasions to his legs and lower back.
As the Soldiers were treating Amin they saw two helicopters flying overhead. The Soldiers signaled the pilots who landed and transported the boy to Bagram Airfield for treatment.
According to Faqeer, Amin doesn’t have a mother or father and considers himself the sole caretaker of his three younger sisters and brother.
“If (the Soldiers) didn’t help Amin would already be dead,” said Faqeer, through an interpreter. “They saved his life. Thank you. Amin is getting the best care possible. He is a lucky one.”