Megan Navarro
DRIPPING SPRINGS— Quick-thinking can help save a life in minutes and that’s exactly what 12-year-old Trevor DuBransky did.
When he was heading to a friend’s home in the Big Sky community of Dripping Springs, Trevor noticed a neighboring door standing open and from a distance, he saw what appeared to be a pool of blood. Knowing that something needed to be done, he then raced back home — first on scooter and then, on foot — while also trying to flag down help along the way.
“I pull up in [my friend’s] sidewalk and I look to the house to the right and I see a man covered with blood. Then, he mumbles some words I can’t understand, so now I ride back down the hill and go into my house,” he said. “I saw him and a little part of me thought, ‘Is he actually hurt? What happened?’ He needs help and I am going to go.”
From the time he left on his scooter to when he returned to his house, it was just under three minutes. He explained to his dad, Marc DuBransky, what was happening and he called 911, leading first responders to arrive on scene within less than 10 minutes.
“When Trevor came back, he had a sense of urgency to his voice and to his face that I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen before. In 10 seconds, I knew exactly what was going on and just the clarity in which he expressed what was going on and what I needed to do. I'd like to imagine that any parent that sees their kid do something like that, that they're going to act kind of in the same way I did without hesitation and just go into action mode,” Mark said.
Trevor’s sense of urgency and lifesaving actions are something that both of his parents are proud of.
“I was very impressed with his quick thinking. He immediately knew, ‘Hey, I've got to get to an adult.’ I'm very proud of him and I'm very thankful we were able to help save that man's life,” Mark continued.
His mom, Tanisha, echoed the same points as she heard a recollection of the events secondhand because she was out of town at the time, but hearing the story over the phone left her filled with overwhelming emotions. He was also carrying out his duties that he learned in the Hays County Junior Deputy Academy, which he has attended for the last three years, the mom added.
“A lot of people react when they see a lot of blood, they might freeze, even adults. They might get faint or feel like they're going to pass out. I was emotional because of that poor man and also just super proud of him as well and impressed,” she shared.
Additionally, Trevor was recognized at the May 19 Dripping Springs City Council meeting for his heroism. This was brought on by Tanisha sharing what happened with a close friend, who took the liberty to email the mayor directly, saying “we have a hero in Dripping Springs.”
It was there that the 12-year-old also received multiple challenge coins — small medallions that represent an achievement or affiliation to a specific group, like the military or law enforcement community — to add to his collection. Along with those, he received a lifesaving award from Hays County Sheriff Anthony Hipolio and a heroism certificate from the city.
“Trevor’s just Trevor to us, but he is definitely a hero in our eyes with what he was able to do and we are thankful that he was able to just be aware and act so quickly,” Tanisha said.
“Trevor’s actions reflect a remarkable presence of mind, bravery, compassion well beyond his years. He exemplifies the very best of Dripping Springs, reminding us that heroes don’t wait; they act,” Mayor Bill Foulds stated.
The family has remained close with the 95-year-old man, John Fednya, whom Trevor helped save, and they were even able to go pick him up to accompany them at the city council meeting.
