ROCKMART, Ga. >> A man has been paralyzed after diving into a creek in northwest Georgia to save a 4-year-old girl who was in danger of drowning.

Rockmart Fire Department Sgt. Chad King says 43-year-old Michael Patterson was visiting the Euharlee Creek with his son Saturday when the girl went underwater. Authorities say the girl had been playing in the creek and appeared to step into a section of deep water.

Officials say Patterson dove into the water and was able to rescue the girl, but hit his head during the dive and was critically injured. He was taken to a hospital and doctors say the man is now paralyzed from the chest down.

Vicki Davis, Patterson’s mother, says he recently started a job installing sheet rock and doesn’t have health insurance.