Appomattox community gathers to help ‘Gabe’ at Moose Lodge
Natalie Prue and her son Gabriel “Gabe” Prue take a look through the Appomattox Moose Lodge on Sept. 17, filled with goods to sell as a benefit to Gabe, a seventh-grade Appomattox Middle School student who suffered a traumatic brain injury four months ago. Image: Sharon Walker/Times Virginian

A benefit for Gabriel Prue, a seventh-grade Appomattox Middle School student who suffered a brain injury four months ago in an outdoor accident, was held Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Appomattox Moose Lodge.

On May 21, Gabriel “Gabe” Prue, 12, was in a field with his dad, Brian. It was a Saturday, and the two often enjoyed time together this way.

Time stood still when a tree Brian was clearing away clipped a small tree near it; in moments, Gabe was lying on the ground underneath the tree.

The elder Prue had some first aid and emergency response training, and though horrified and in shock, he was able to call 911 and clear Gabe’s airway. Emergency responders and neighbors were at the thickly wooded site within minutes.

There’s more to this in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Support local journalism by purchasing the issue at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition or view the full article in the e-edition version.