Exclusive Interview: 12-year-old injured in Ben Carson volunteer crash talks from hospital bed

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - A Huffman family is asking for prayers for their 12-year-old relative. She was injured in the crash that left a Ben Carson campaign volunteer dead in Iowa on Tuesday. 

“’How are you feeling?’ I'm hurting a little bit," said Madalinn Oldham. 

The 12-year-old girl grew up in Huffman, but moved to Iowa 2 years ago.  She was riding in a friend’s pick-up truck Tuesday morning when “All I see is a van pulled out in front of us,” she told reporter Chris Stipes via Facetime. 

The van that was carrying four Ben Carson campaign volunteers slipped on a patch of ice, flipped and then was hit by the pick-up. With internal injuries and several broken bones, Oldham managed to pull her 5-year-old friend to safety.  “I just unbuckled Brandon and I unlocked the door and I took his hand and I pulled him out.  'That's a very brave thing to do you're a brave young lady.'"

Her relatives back home in Huffman are providing all the support they can constantly talking and texting.

“ I'm very thankful she is here.  To me she's a hero because she was telling me she tried to save other people,” said Ashley Hall, Oldham’s cousin.  “Her spirits are good right now it's just a lot, of course, she's had a couple of breakdowns and she still has a long road ahead of her,” said relative Sheila Flanagan.

25-year-old Carson staffer, Braden Joplin, a student at Texas Tech, was killed in the crash.  Dr. Carson suspended his campaign activities Tuesday and Wednesday.

“Our hearts go out to his family and all the families involved including the family in the pick-up truck.  You know, life is so fleeting and we have to make the most of every bit of it that we can," said Dr. Carson. 

Carson visited Oldham at the hospital Wednesday afternoon. 

Madalinn says she'll be in the hospital for at least another week and knows she has a long road ahead. 

“It's going to be slow, but I will recover,” she said.

Her family in Huffman has set up a donation page:  https://www.gofundme.com/79k8ycc4