NC Teen Who Lost Leg Reunites With Man Who Saved His Life

(WRAL News)— A teenager in eastern North Carolina and the man who helped save his life are both on a path to healing.

When 18-year-old Bryson Wilkinson lost his leg after a freak accident while working, Gary Caldwell was nearby and jumped into action. Then, two days later, the two reunited at the hospital after Caldwell had his own accident.

Wilkinson works for a tree service company in Wallace.

“We go out and cut dead pine trees, any dead tree near the power line,” he said.

Two weeks ago, a freak accident left him with a new reality. Wilkinson’s right leg got caught in a rope during a routine tree removal.

“It was four pine trees — full-sized pine trees that we wanted cut down,” Wilkinson said. “It somehow managed to pull it under that tree. It dug me through the ground. I thought I still had my leg cause all I felt was pressure. Then I go to lift up and I realize that my leg wasn’t there.”

Video capturing the crucial moments after the accident shows Caldwell, who was living on the property, jumping into action and using a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

“I thought it was over for me,” Wilkinson said. “I thought that was about to be the end of my life.”

Wilkinson was rushed to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.

Just two days later, Caldwell, the man who saved Wilkinson’s life, was fighting for his own life in the same hospital, just down the hall from Wilkinson.

“He ended up in a motorcycle accident,” Wilkinson said. “I just couldn’t believe what I saw.”

After doctors learned that the men were connected, Wilkinson and Caldwell were reunited.

“As soon as I walked in I broke down crying. I couldn’t believe it,” Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson’s family was also there to thank the man who saved their son’s life, calling it an act of God.

“I told him, I was like, if it wasn’t for you, my son, he might not have been here,” said Tim Wilkinson, Bryson Wilkinson’s father.

“I’m going to keep staying in touch with him as long as I can,” Wilkinson said.

Now home from the hospital, Wilkinson is navigating a new path forward as an amputee. He’s been posting about his experience on TikTok.

“I want to be able to tell people that their life’s not over if they lose a limb” Wilkinson said. “Things happen. And they can get past it in life. They don’t need to give up. They don’t need to lose hope.”

The teen amassed more than 3,000 followers in just five days.