ONLY ON WEAU: Man hurt in mud bog accident credited as a hero

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Posted: Tue 9:24 PM, Jul 03, 2012

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Reporter: Kevin Hurd

Updated: Wed 8:05 AM, Jul 04, 2012

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ONLY ON WEAU: Man hurt in mud bog accident credited as a hero

"I don't remember much because I got hit by this thing, and how it came about hitting me I have no idea," said Shawn Wallace. He was hurt in this weekend's mud bog event in Eau Claire.

He does not remember all the details about what happened during Saturday's mud bog accident. But some things, some feelings, still stand out.

"Noticed the back of my leg was burning a bit, didn't think nothing of it, and I look back there and see something sticking out," Wallace said.

He says his adrenaline was pumping, trying to wrap his mind around what was happening.

"And I'm still on my knees yet, nervous and shaken from what's going on," he said.

Days later, he says the pain is excruciating and reality of what is and what is to come, is beginning to set in.

"Three inches of my Achilles tendon was completely ripped off, totally gone, I seen it for the first time after surgery yesterday and it looked pretty disgusting," he added.

Wallace is facing the possibility of losing his leg. But through all the bad, comes a bigger story.

"I've got boys in the backroom saying I'm a hero because I saved a boy's life and I don't really feel it, but it's just a reaction I guess at what happened," he said.

Wallace is being credited for stepping in front of a six-year-old boy and taking the brunt of the accident. A bad situation that could have been even worse.

"This was a freak accident and we're grateful there were no life-threatening injuries," said Daryl Dehnke, the Event Coordinator of the mud bog event.

Now, Wallace is taking it one day at a time, still wrapping his mind around everything.

"I wish it wouldn't have happened, I can't believe I'm still here after getting hit by that big thing," he added.

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