No one could bring Dakota's "Papa" back. But the staff decided they could do something for Dakota. Z Te Irirangi Dr retailer Graeme Landon said they decided to give him a full set of the collectable Blokhedz figurines, which are based on superheroes and villains from the DC comic franchise, and a certificate recognising his bravery. "It's a small gesture but he deserved it."
Dakota's proud mum, Kim Leef, plans to collect the gift and certificate next time she and Dakota are in Auckland. The pair live in the Far North settlement of Whangape, only a few kilometres from the family farm where Dakota spent most of his free time at the side of his beloved grandfather. He had taken the loss hard, Kim said.
"They were very close. He was my father's world and [Dakota] looked up to my dad as his father. He just loved being with his Papa."
Dakota had told her his grandfather pulled into the station and told him to get help. "[Dakota] said there was blood coming out of his nose and mouth but he was breathing. I think my Dad didn't want my son to see him go. I know that Dad would've done that to protect Dakota."
Her father had had a previous heart attack 23 years ago, Kim said.
The youngest of her three children was already a hero in the eyes of his family, she added.
As well as getting help at the service station, Dakota had crossed a busy road and run almost a kilometre to alert family to his grandfather's plight.
"We're very proud. We've been praising him. I don't know if he thinks it's his fault. He hasn't said, but I can read him. I said to him, 'We're not doctors. What you did was the bomb ... for trying to help Papa'.
"He's lost his Papa, but because of what he's done his Papa would be so proud."
