A 3-year-old Palmerton boy who was struck by a truck is in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the community has reached out to help the family.

Bradley Beil was hit by a Penske rental truck at 7:40 p.m. Thursday in the 100 block of Delaware Avenue.

Palmerton Police and the Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the incident.

Bradley’s aunt Danielle Norris of Palmerton said that after Bradley was hit by the truck, paramedics arrived on the scene and had to attempt to stabilize Bradley before being able to Life Flight him to Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest Hospital.

“After arriving at Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest, the team of doctors and specialists felt that due to some of the injuries Brad had sustained, they needed to transport him to a hospital that had specialists that were able to further treat and address his injuries,” Norris said. “The decision was made to transport him to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia via Life Flight.”

Norris said Bradley’s parents, Brandy Norris, and Kody Beil, have been by his side the entire time.

She said the injuries Bradley suffered are mostly to his neck and head, and added he has fractures to his jaw, his hand, and his orbital bone. He also has swelling in his brain and face, and bruising to his lungs.

Bradley is currently on a ventilator, and is being kept sedated to give his body time to recover and bring down swelling.

“At one point, he was awake, alert, and trying to pull the tubing out of his mouth,” she said. “He has minimal swelling to his actual eyes, and he has no injuries to any of his other major organs/body.”

Norris said that during this time, the family asks for privacy and respect.

“The situation is hard to entirely comment on because, in all honestly, we ourselves are waiting to see how things go,” she said. “His status is currently a wait-and-see. We will not know how much damage there will be, whether it will be long-term, if any.”

Norris said the doctors are waiting for swelling to go down before running certain tests to get more information about the potential damage.”

She said that Bradley’s brain swelling “has been staying fairly low, and those numbers are looking good. We were originally warned that swelling to his face would peak around this time. He is being weaned off blood pressure meds that were helping his body to regulate.

“He is on a low amount of oxygen on the ventilator, and is doing some of the work on his own there. Doctor’s attempted to ween Brad off some of the sedation meds and he had movement in his hand, but due to some coughing they had to give those meds again.”

Norris added, “The family has been overwhelmed with outreach, and it has been hard to update everyone. Brandy and Kody are staying at the hospital with Bradley.

Norris organized a GoFundMe for the family. As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, $14,102 of the $20,000 goal had been raised.

The hospital has meal vouchers for the family. However, there are parking costs, travel costs, etc.

“We obviously are unsure of exactly how long the family will be in the hospital, so we aren’t sure of all of the costs accruing at this time,” she said. “We do know that his parents will also be out of work to be there with him to give him all of the support and attention he needs during this time.”

Norris is posting updates and thanked the community.

“First, and foremost I want to thank the community for the overwhelming amount of support we have received in such a short period of time already,” she said. “I also want to thank everyone who has been able to contribute in any way so far.

“Please know by ‘contribute,’ I mean anyone who has said prayers, sent positive vibes, reached out about donation jars, offered meal vouchers, offered gift cards, made baskets, and the businesses who are running specials. Even if you’re just clicking this link because you are following Bradley’s recovery and updates. We truly appreciate every single thought and contribution in every way shape and form.

Norris said that “family has been reading stories to Brad, talking to him, and “watching” his favorite movies and TV. We are also calling to put his loved ones who cannot be there with him on speaker so he can hear them.

“Bradley is in a medical coma, while he is healing, but he can still hear us and is aware of what is happening around him. Family who has been able to visit is just focusing on giving this little man all the love, attention, and positivity he needs and deserves.”

Norris said that on Sunday, Brandy was also able to help in Bradley’s bath time routine in the morning, which was a happy moment.

“The nurses and doctors have been so amazing in keeping the family informed every step of the way explaining each beep and machine, every medication, answering any questions, and including them in rounds to discuss their plan of care for him,” she said. “Bradley needs a few tests and possible procedures this week, but we are waiting to see what will take place when.”

Norris said that to anyone who is not looking to donate on the GoFundMe site, or would like to reach out to a direct contact, should contact her via Facebook or email, and she will help coordinate any donations, gifts, or anything of the sort.

She cautioned not to reach out to anyone else unless directed to do so by her so that to ensure contributions are being received by the family.

“To any businesses looking to start a donation jar, please reach out to me and let me know so I can coordinate pick up. I can also provide a little blurb and picture that you can use to put on any donation jars/boxes.

“We are also trying to keep track of all of the businesses and people who have reached out or donated so we can thank everyone at a later date. “Again thank you all so much for everything; we truly cannot say thank you enough.”

Norris said a basket raffle will be held on behalf of the family at the Sokol Hall in Palmerton at a date to be determined.

“We never expected that it would result in this much support from the community,” she said. “It’s honestly incredible.”