Boy, 10, impaled shielding sister from plane crash
Site of the crash. Credit / Getty Images
A young boy’s heroic act has captured the nation’s heart after he shielded his little sister from flying debris during a tragic plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia.
On January 31, 2025, a medical transport plane carrying six people crashed near Northeast Philadelphia Airport, killing everyone on board and one person on the ground.
The devastating incident left behind a scene of destruction, but amidst the tragedy, 10-year-old Andre “Trey” Howard III became a symbol of bravery, per ABC.
A Brother’s Instinct to Protect
Trey and his family were near the crash site when the accident occurred. Witnesses say that as the wreckage came down, Trey instinctively jumped in front of his younger sister, shielding her from the impact. In doing so, he suffered a critical head injury but likely saved her life.
His father, Andre Howard Jr., recalled the harrowing moment his son woke up after emergency brain surgery. One of the first things Trey asked was, “Daddy, did I save my sister?” Howard described the moment as heartbreaking yet awe-inspiring, as his son—despite his injuries—was more concerned about his sister’s safety than his own, The Independent detailed
A Miraculous Recovery
Initially, doctors feared the worst. Trey’s head injury was so severe that his survival seemed unlikely. However, against all odds, the young boy began showing signs of recovery. His resilience has stunned medical professionals, who have called his progress “miraculous.”
His father expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from family, friends, and even strangers who were touched by Trey’s story, explaining that his son is a fighter.
Community Support and Fundraising
As Trey recovers, the community has stepped up to help. Soans Christian Academy, where Trey is a student, has launched a fundraiser to assist with his medical expenses. A GoFundMe campaign has also been set up, raising over $186,000 so far. People from across the country have donated, leaving messages of encouragement and calling Trey a “real-life superhero.”
Investigating the Cause of the Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash. Early reports suggest the plane may have suffered mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. Officials are working to determine whether the incident could have been prevented.
A Heroic Story That Will Be Remembered
Trey’s bravery has not gone unnoticed. Many have praised him for his selflessness, and some are even calling for official recognition of his heroic actions. His story has resonated with people everywhere, serving as a reminder of the extraordinary courage that can be found in the youngest among us.
For now, Trey remains in recovery, surrounded by his family and a nation that has been deeply moved by his courage. His father says the family is hopeful that, with time, Trey will make a full recovery and return to the bright, energetic boy they know and love.
World’s first surviving septuplets celebrate 26th birthday
In 1997 the world’s first septuplets were born to couple Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey in Iowa, U.S.
The birth of these special babies, who were born 9 weeks prematurely, attracted headlines around the world as the new parents were inundated with invites for interviews.
They ended up appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show to celebrate their first birthday and each received their own birthday cake. They also got to meet former president Bill Clinton.
The world’s first surviving set of septuplets Kenny Jr., Alexis, Natalie, Kelsey, Nathan, Brandon and Joel kept their parents, who already had a daughter, very busy.
According to Obsev.com the babies required an average of 52 nappies and 42 bottles of milk each day.
The couple did receive a lot of donations to help look after their babies include a 5,500 square foot home, a van, a year’s worth of Kraft’s macaroni and cheese, diapers for the first two years and full college scholarships for any state university in Iowa, as per the Daily Mail.
Their parents still worked hard to do all they could to reduce the cost of caring for 8 children and started growing their own vegetables.
Two of the septuplets, Alexis and Nathan, were diagnosed with cerebral palsy and they required the use of walkers. In 2005 Nathan had back surgery to improve his walking abilities and has since taught himself how to get around without a walker.
They graduated high school and all went on to college: Natalie, Kelsey, Nathan and Joel took up scholarships offered by private Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal in Missouri.
Kenny and Alexis chose to stay closer to home and attended Des Moines Area Community College, and Brandon enlisted in the United States Army.
The siblings who graduated from college this spring say attending college was their first taste of independence.
Kelsey said going away to college has been a growth experience for the siblings because all five are getting a taste of real independence for the first time.
“Growing up, we were always together,” Kelsey told the Herald-Whig.
“Whatever we did, wherever we went, we were always together,” added Kelsey, who majored in public relations and now hopes to get a job in the media.
“I think that being able to come to HLGU gave us our own experience to be independent and to showcase our different talents and be able to dive deep into what we want to learn and what we want our professions to be. We’re not just the seven septuplets. We’re becoming our own people.”
Older sister Mikayla got married in 2015 and the septuplets became aunts and uncles for the first time with the birth of her son. Natalie was the first of the septuplets to get married in May 2019, and four months later brother Brandon also got married.
Natalie now hopes to attend graduate school as an athletic trainer, she told the Today show.
Alexis studied early childhood education and wants to work in an elementary school. She has won many beauty pageants for children with special needs, winning the Teen Miss Dreams Made True pageant in 2013.
Nathan is majoring in computer information systems along with his brother Joel who one day hopes to work for Google in the cyber security division, while Nathan enjoys putting computers together.
“Having six siblings, we’re not only the same age but we’re all best friends,” Natalie told Today. “We’re really thankful for the friendship we have.”
These seven siblings are miracle babies and I’m so happy to see them all winning at life.
Wishing them all the success and happiness whichever path they choose in life. Please share.
If you spot white-painted trees, you had better know what it means
Say what you will about the internet, but it’s become a vital tool in virtually all our lives.
Not only does it help us to stay in touch with friends and family members like never before, but it also has more knowledge that ten thousand libraries combined. Not to mention the fact that said knowledge is only a few mouse clicks away.
Yep, gone are the days where you have to trawl through dozens of books or seek out an expert if you have a question regarding an obscure topic that you need answering. Today, the internet has a correct answer for… well, pretty much anything you might ask it.
If you’re a regular reader on our site, you’ll perhaps have come across articles that seek to explain certain oddities in the world around us. Take, for example, what it means if you see a giant star on the side of a barn, or what it might mean if you see a man with one painted fingernail. How about if you spot square waves forming on the surface of the ocean close to shore?
We’ve tried to answer all these questions and more. Which is why when we came across a mysterious picture online showing trees with their trunks painted white, we decided to do a little digging.
Credit / Wikimedia Commons
Now, there seems to be a lot going on in the world of trees. Last month we explained the possible reason behind bent trees that you might see in the forest, while paint splashed upon the bark of a tree seems to adhere to a color code that can tell you things about the tree, including its health and future.
Trees might have an orange dot painted on them if they’re to be cut down soon, while purple markings on a tree might reportedly indicate that the tree stands on private land.
But what about trees that are painted white?
Well, we’ll admit to not having a clue what this meant before we did some reading up on the subject (thanks, internet). As per reports, trees are actually painted white in winter to protect them from getting sunburned!
No, we’re not joking, it’s not just deathly pale middle-aged men who need to be wary of the sun’s rays as they lie outside the shade on a tropical beach with their headphones in. Trees do too, apparently.
Credit / Wikimedia Commons
Now, given that the overwhelming majority of trees are outside, they’re naturally subject to temperature changes. The sun can heat up a tree’s bark during the day, causing it to grow. When the temperature drops at night, however, the bark can cool down and rapidly shrink.
Such changes can end up splitting the bark, in turn damaging the tree’s trunk.
And this is where the aforementioned white paint comes in. When a layer is applied to a tree, it helps to reflect the sun’s rays, thus preventing the trunk from getting too hot during in the day.
Who knew? Not us! Had you heard of this process before? Let us know in the comments.
Alfie Patten: Where is ‘Britain’s youngest dad’ now?
When 13-year-old Alfie Patten made headlines around the world after being labeled Britain’s youngest dad, it was a life-changing moment.
He and his family couldn’t go anywhere without being recognized and his parents were being accused of being the “U. K’s worst parents”.
But then, a DNA test revealed a stunning truth.
Who is Alfie Patten?
Alfie Patten, a baby-faced schoolboy from East Sussex, was reported to have fathered a child with family friend Chantelle Steadman, in 2009.
Chantelle Steadman gave birth to a daughter, Maisie Roxanne, in 2009, at Eastbourne Hospital in East Sussex, near Alfie’s and Chantelle’s hometown.
At the time the child was conceived, Chantelle was 15 and Alfie was just 12.
The story, originally published by the British tabloid The Sun, quickly gained worldwide attention. A major reason for the story’s massive spread was Alfie Patten’s youthful appearance, with his boyish looks and unbroken voice, which contrasted sharply with the serious responsibility of fatherhood.
The Sun proudly claimed that the story set a new record for online traffic – that says a lot about how huge the story was.
Hadn’t yet gone through puberty
Alfie first met Chantelle in 2008 when he was 12, while playing in the streets of Lower Dicker, a village in East Sussex where they both lived. His mother, believing their friendship was harmless, didn’t worry about them being alone together, especially since Alfie hadn’t yet gone through puberty.
The case also sparked protests about Britain’s ”under-educated” and ”over-sexualised” society, according to The Independent. The teenage pregnancy rate in England is still relatively high compared to other developed countries; the only Western nations with higher rates are the United States and New Zealand.
Getty Images
High-ranking politicians expressed their concern, with Nigel Waterson, Member of Parliament for Eastbourne, stating, ”This is a very sad story… which raises huge questions about sex education rather than relationship education in schools, and also about the sexualisation of our society.”
In a memorable YouTube interview, Alfie was asked if he could support his family financially. His response: “What’s financially?”
Surprising details
Looking back at how this story was reported a few years ago, there are some pretty surprising details that come to light. For instance, the couple didn’t even realize Chantelle was pregnant until she went to the doctor at 12 weeks. She claimed to have missed just one pill. They kept the pregnancy a secret for another six weeks, until Chantelle’s mother noticed her daughter’s swollen belly.
Alfie said, ”I thought it would be good to have a baby,” but admitted he had been too scared to tell his parents. According to Alfie’s father, his son was determined to be a devoted and responsible dad, and was eager to be the first to hold his daughter. ”He could’ve just shrugged it off and stayed home playing on his PlayStation. But he’s been at the hospital every day,” he said.
The daughter, Maisie Roxanne, was born in February 2009, weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces, and Alfie was suddenly thrust into the role of father.
The pictures of the 13-year-old and his baby looked almost comical – it seemed more like he had a new little sibling than a child of his own.
”It was a crazy time. Holding Maisie for the first time was amazing. I was too young to understand the consequences of being a dad but I liked holding her and immediately loved her,” Alfie said, according to Daily Mail.
Too unbelievable to be true?
The story seemed almost too unbelievable to be true, and soon enough, the truth would come crashing down. Just six weeks after ”his” daughter was born, Alfie received a bombshell revelation that would turn everything upside down.
A DNA test revealed that Alfie Patten was not the father of the baby. Instead, the true father was another boy and Alfie’s friend, 14-year-old Tyler Barker.
It was Alfie’s mother, Nicola, who started to suspect something was amiss, as she couldn’t believe her son was sexually active. And just like that, Alfie was no longer the youngest father in the UK.
A general view of what was thought to be the home of Alfie Patten in Hailsham, East Sussex. (Getty Images)
Alfie shared that he cried for days upon learning the truth, and his heartbreak was deepened when Chantelle and her family moved away, leaving him unable to see the baby anymore.
After all the heartbreak and chaos in 2009, Alfie and his family hoped they could return to some sense of normality. Yet the headlines still followed him, and he was even mentioned in U.K. parliament; his name became a symbol of the unruly youth of the day.
The controversy
By now, we all know how huge the Alfie Patten case was, with the media coverage being relentless. But did you know that the UK’s Press Complaints Commission (PCC), the country’s press watchdog, also looked into the case?
The PCC, a voluntary regulatory body for British print newspapers and magazines, wanted to investigate whether the papers had paid Alfie Patten’s parents to share their story.
A spokesperson for The Sun commented on the matter: “We will be happy to fully cooperate with PCC’s inquiry into this story, which we absolutely believe to be in the public interest.”
What really went on behind the scenes may never fully be known. The PCC had to drop its investigation after legal restrictions prevented further inquiry into the case, and they were prohibited from contacting the Patten family. However, the PCC did issue a warning to the newspapers.
The press argued that their articles highlighted an important issue: the prevalence and impact of teenage pregnancy in British society. The newspapers claimed they were sparking a much-needed public debate by dramatizing and personalizing the issue.
The Sun also announced plans to set up a trust fund to help raise the baby, Maisie.
Back to normality
Speaking to The Mirror two years after Alfie was accused of fathering a child at 13, his mom Nicola said even after it was proven that Alfie wasn’t the father it still took time to get back to normality.
“Suddenly Alfie’s name was being thrown about in Parliament and on the 10 o’clock news. We were portrayed as a bad family from the wrong side of town,” she told The Mirror.
“Alfie’s a good boy and I was too scared to go out.”
In 2019, Alfie was convicted of criminal damage after smashing cars and property while drunk, The Mirror newspaper reported. According to the article, Alfie, who appeared at a court in the U.K. “narrowly avoided jail.”
The prosecution said officers intervened after Alfie kicked a van, damaged a Skoda (car) and broke a fence while intoxicated.
She said: “He was drunk, swearing and being aggressive.”
The court heard that Patten, still lives at home with his mom, doesn’t have a job and drinks alcohol most days, The Mirror reported.
Alfie’s defense said: “He wants to improve to become normal and seek peace rather than continue the destructive, chaotic behavior that is deeply dangerous to his health.”
Alfie Patten today
In 2021, Alfie and his mother, Nicola, made headlines once again.
British newspapers reported that they had been evicted from their terraced home in Hailsham, East Sussex, after it was revealed that the property was being used as a hub for a drug dealing operation.
District Judge Teresa Szagun commented, ”The premises were being used for drug dealing, and there was anti-social behavior spilling out onto the street, affecting the neighborhood.”
At the time, Alfie was unemployed and struggling with alcoholism. However, it was also reported that the now 28-year-old was actively seeking help for his problems.
It’s been several years since Alfie Patten made headlines, and we can only hope that he has found peace and stability in his life. A quick glance at his social media suggests that he is still living in Hailsham, East Sussex, leading a quieter, more private life away from the spotlight.
What do you think about the way his story was handled by the media, and how it affected him and his family? Share your thoughts with us — this is a conversation that’s far from over.