Dateline:  WENTZVILLE, MO

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An Act Of Kindness Turns To Heartache For Family

An act of kindness turns to heartache for Danny Bampton's family. As they traveled down State Highway P, near St. Paul, just before 1 p.m. on Wednesday, little Danny saw an animal in need. Police say his family pulled into a relatives driveway so Danny, 9, could rescue a duck from the winding two lane highway. Trooper Jeremy Potocki said, "From what the witnesses recalled, and family members told us, he picked up a duck on the northside, then ran across ad put it in a culvert. He ran across the road when he was struck."

The Missouri Highway Patrol says an 18-year-old girl was behind the wheel of an older model Suburu.

"It was just an accident. We don't anticipate anything or criminal in nature. Based on the evidence scene, we don't think she was exceeding the speed limit," said Trooper Potocki.

Dozens of family members rushed to the scene comforting and consoling each other. Danny would have been a fourth grader on Monday at St. Joseph School in Wentzville. Principal Dwight Elmore says he was an outdoorsman and an outstanding young man, "He was a great kid, you could count on him to do anything, he would do it and go right back to what he was supposed to be doing. I trusted Danny. He was a good boy."

A memorial mass will be held at 8 a.m. on Thursday morning at St. Joseph Parish.

Grief Counselors will also be available.

Comments (5)

Bull: ... Sad. What were the parents thinking letting him do this? 1 August 21, 2009 88pdx: ... It's very sad, but "what were the parents thinking" was my reaction, too. I feel badly for the driver involved, who did not expect that to happen that day, either. Heartbreaker all the way around. 2 August 24, 2009 someone else: ... It's not enoughthat it is just sad and an accident. The people here have to sit in judgemnet and find blame. Sheesh! 3 August 25, 2009 Bull: ... i sit in judgement becasue this could have been avoided 4 August 28, 2009 gak906: ... Every accident can be avoided. That's why they are called accidents. prayers to all affected! 5 September 28, 2009

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