A holiday tradition is YNN’s presentation of Red Cross Real Hero stories. The 2011 Real Heroes were honored Wednesday morning at the Red Cross Real Hero Breakfast at the Oncenter. This is the story of the Youth Good Samaritans.

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On December 26th 2010, eight-year-old Shawn Patrie and his six-year-old sister Colleen were enjoying the day after Christmas with Grandpa, heading up Onondaga Hill to join their cousins for a day of fun.

“We were coming up a hill we were talking and we felt this crash,” explained Shawn Patrie.

“There was like a big bump and a big crash,” added Colleen Patrie.

“I could look right through the firewall inside the engine, it was arching like crazy, and by the time the trooper got out of his car there was a fire inside,” said their grandfather.

But before the help arrived, Shawn and Colleen knew what to do.

“We opened the door and then there was a car right next to us so we could barely open the door, then we finally did and just waited by the side of the road,” said Shawn.

“We went to the sidewalk and then said ‘we should call 911.’ But we couldn’t because we did not have a phone with us,” said Colleen.

With their grandfather stuck in a car about to catch on fire, the kids remained calm, staying out of harm’s way while staying in contact with their grandfather.

When help arrived, Shawn gave the police his father’s cell phone number. Scared and shaken, yet brave and heroic.

“If someone had video of the accident, and wanted to write a script on how kids should act in a situation like that - it would be perfect, and that’s why they are heroes,” said their grandfather.

“We stayed safe, and all the other kids who are in an accident can learn from us,” said Shawn.

We can all learn from them.

Shawn and Colleen Patrie are the 2011 Red Cross Youth Good Samaritans.