Littleton, N.C. — A Littleton community was joined in prayer this week, sending well wishes for the recovery of a 7-year-old boy crushed by a falling grave marker.

The Hawkins family was visiting the cemetery at Tabor United Methodist Church Sunday, making sketches of the stones when Will wandered away from his parents and older sister.

From her home across the street, Diane Miller spotted Will Hawkins, running around in an Indiana Jones hat. "All of a sudden I heard this thump," she said. "The thump was the most awful thing you've ever heard."

A stone obelisk, in place since 1918, had toppled on the boy.

Miller saw Will's father dash to his side. His mother and sister jumped in the car. "The father swooped down and picked up the boy, and when he stood up that father was covered in blood from his shoulder to his feet," Miller said.

An ambulance met the family along the way and rushed Will to Halifax Regional Medical Center. He's undergone several surgeries this week but was listed in critical condition Wednesday afternoon.

"Immediately I looked to the heavens and I said, 'God, whatever it is, please restore this child,'" Miller said.

Her prayers are being echoed inside Tabor United Methodist, where the Hawkins family was well known. "We're really pulling for him, and we hope he'll be alright," said church member Jimmy Liles.