NATCHEZ — A child whose life was saved by an Adams County deputy after being struck by a vehicle Tuesday is in good condition at a Jackson hospital.

The 4-year-old child was walking with her mother at approximately 5:30 p.m. in front of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office on State Street when she ran away from her mother and into the street, according to ACSO reports.

The child was struck by a vehicle turning onto State Street from Wall Street.

ACSO Deputy Lance Adams saw the accident and radioed it in. Deputy Walter Mackel heard the call and came outside to assist.

“I ran out there, and I saw the child’s mother holding her, and the child was unconscious and not breathing, and her eyes were slightly rolled back in her head,” Mackel said.

The impact of the vehicle had thrown the child approximately three car lengths from the spot where she was hit, Mackel said.

The driver of the vehicle told police she did not see the child nor did she know she had hit the child until she heard the mother yelling causing the driver to pull over, according to an ACSO report.

Mackel motioned for Adams to get Adams’ patrol vehicle so the two could transport the child to the hospital.

“I thought it would just be faster for us to take her to the hospital rather than wait for an ambulance,” said Mackel, who has military emergency response experience and also drives an ambulance.

On the way to the hospital, Mackel administered rescue breaths to the child.

“On about the third breath, she started coughing and cleared her airway of blood,” Mackel said. “Then, she started crying, and to me, that was a good sign because I knew that she had cleared her airway.”

The sheriff’s office had called ahead to Merit Health Natchez and prepared the emergency room for the child’s arrival.

“We jumped out at the E.R. and rushed her in, and that’s when (the hospital staff) took over treating her,” Mackel said.

The child was later airlifted to University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

The child was listed in good condition at approximately 5 p.m. Wednesday, UMC spokesperson Gary Patterson said. UMC could not release the extent of the child’s injuries, Patterson said.

Mackel said he spoke to a family member Wednesday evening who reported the child was doing good. Mackel did not know the full extent of the child’s injuries but said he gathered on the scene that she had sustained blunt force trauma to her head.

Mackel credits his life-saving actions to his training but said even training cannot fully prepare you for a situation involving a child.

“I have a daughter around her age and you’re never prepared when it’s a child,” he said. “You’re prepared for adults, but with kids, it’s a different ballgame, especially when you have kids the same age.”

Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said he was glad Mackel and Adams were at the scene.

“Their extensive training gives them the ability to act immediately and to make vital decisions that save lives,” Mayfield said. “We are fortunate to have them at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Because of their actions, this child’s life was saved.”

ACSO has not released the identity of the child nor the driver of the vehicle that struck her. No charges have been filed in the case.