by SEAN KIMMONS

(From left to right) Sammy Ruiz, Ryan Castillo and Bradley Wood receive the Kyle City Council proclamation from Mayor Lucy Johnson on Tuesday night. (Courtesy photo)

Thirteen-year-old Ryan Castillo tried to do something that almost every teenager has done before. While riding his bike along with his friends on May 23, he decided to briefly ride hands-free.

He eventually lost control of his bike, turned toward a fire hydrant, and severely sliced his knee as his leg grazed it.

As he rested on the ground, Castillo dialed 911 on his cell phone and handed it to his friend, Bradley Wood, who gave the operator the proper information. His other friend, Sammy Ruiz, a local boy scout, then applied first aid to his leg as they waited for first responders.

All three of the teenagers, aged 13 and students at Wallace Middle School, were honored Tuesday night with a Kyle City Council proclamation dubbed “Hometown Heroes Day.”

“Sammy Ruiz and Bradley Wood acted instinctively and appropriately to treat and care for Ryan Castillo and also took action to call for the appropriate assistance,” the proclamation reads.

Afterward, Castillo recalled the incident that ended in an 18-centimeter incision and 40 stitches in his knee.

“I was laughing when it first happened,” said Castillo, proudly adding all the gory details of his injury.

It’ll take another month or so until Castillo can drop the crutches and live an active lifestyle again. And when the bandages come off, he’ll have a deep scar to show off.

“I thought I’d be all alone,” he said of the incident. “I’m glad my friends were there.”