Toddler survives ride on top of camper

GAINESVILLE, Fla., June 16 (UPI) -- A 3-year-old Georgia girl survived a 5-mile ride on top of her father's camper and a fall from the vehicle.

Christa Whitlow was hospitalized for observation, but doctors said she appeared to have suffered no more than bad abrasions on her arms, legs and face, WXIA-TV in Atlanta reported.

Christa's mother, Colleen Whitlow, said she and her husband almost always check their vehicles before they drive off. But she said that on this occasion, her husband, after walking around the camper, realized he had left his cell phone in the house and went in to get it.

While he was doing that, his daughter apparently climbed on top of the camper. When the vehicle began moving, she hung on.

Five miles away, a passing motorist saw Christa fall from the truck. The little girl picked herself up and tried to run after her father.

"I didn't know," Carey Whitlow said. "That's what hurt the most."

Gainesville police said Christa's ride and fall appeared to have been an accident.