BY MARIA BARAN
Belleville News Democrat
A Millstadt girl injured in a freak bicycle accident last month was given a new bike Monday night by some of the men who helped rescue her.
Aspen Schnellbecher, 9, was presented with the bike by the Millstadt Fire Department. A parade of four fire trucks and a police car complete with flashing lights delivered the bike to the girl’s home.
Firefighters said Aspen touched their hearts during a rescue last month after she stumbled across some gum balls from a sweet gum tree. Through a tumultuous fall, the bike’s hand brake, located on the handlebars, impaled her leg, narrowly missing a major vein.
In order for Aspen to be airlifted to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, police and fire department rescue workers had to destroy the bike.
Millstadt Police Chief Ed Wilkerson said Aspen was “quite the trouper” during the rescue, not complaining and barely crying.
To reward such bravery, the 36 members of the Millstadt Volunteer Fire Department collected enough money to buy Aspen a new bike.
“We just threw some money in a hat,” said Fire Chief Kurt Pellmann, who said he had never seen such a bizarre bike accident in his 21 years at the department.
The accident occurred Oct. 26 at the intersection of Oak and Polk streets. She was released from the hospital three days later.
Aspen said it was fun to miss three days of school, but she didn’t like the IVs pinned in her arm.
Ralph Schnellbecher, Aspen’s father, said she is pretty much back to her normal health and activity.
In addition to the purple bike, the firefighters delivered bike helmets and red T-shirts for Aspen and her 8-year-old sister, Hannah.
“I just hope she gets back on the horse and rides again,” said Joan Schnellbecher, Aspen’s mother. “I don’t want her to be afraid of it.”
After shaking each one of the firefighter’s hands, Aspen smiled and said she already enjoyed her new bike.
“I’ll get back on it pretty soon,” she said.