Emergency personnel handled an injury accident involving a parade float early Saturday evening during the Waterloo Homecoming parade

A parade participant from St. Paul United Church of Christ was apparently run over by the church’s parade trailer, according to initial reports. The man was believed to have been grabbing water bottles to hand out from the trailer when his foot got caught under a moving tire, causing him to fall down. One of the trailer wheels then crossed over his chest.

The man, identified as Mark Blevins, was alert when transported to an area hospital.

The incident occurred on South Library Street between Third and Fourth streets. A handful of persons who witnessed the accident rushed to the aid of the victim, helping to lift the trailer off of him quickly.

Blevins’ son expressed gratitude to all those who helped rescue his father.

“A huge thanks to anyone who helped out at the scene, especially the people who helped lift the trailer off of him,” Matt Blevins posted on Facebook. “It’s because of you that he is alive and I can’t thank them enough.”

Matt Blevins posted Saturday night that his father is in stable condition and is in “good spirits at the moment.”