HADDAM, Conn. -- A 10-year-old is being credited in Haddam on Tuesday with saving her grandfather's life.

Helen and Ron Perron said that when they retired, they cleared six acres of land overlooking the Connecticut River to build their dream home. They said it's a great place to spend time with their granddaughters, 10-year-old Dharma and baby Sophie.

But, they said, it's also a lot of work to mow.

On Monday, Helen Perron said her husband was mowing on his John Deere riding lawnmower when he went up a steep river embankment softened by recent rainfall and chipped a rock, which caused the lawnmower to slip.

"The ground was so soft, the tractor just flipped over backwards," she said.

Helen said Ron was trapped under the tractor and that Dharma saw it happen.

"I yelled for my grandma," Dharma said.

She said her grandmother tried to lift the tractor, but couldn't.

"This was on his chest," Dharma said. "My grandma was over here trying to get it off, and I just grabbed this seat and pulled."

When Dharma pulled, Ron said he was able to get free.

"She saved my life, so that made Dharma proud," he said. "Even though she was very frightened, she put that feeling aside and did what she had to do."

Dharma's father, a lieutenant in the Cromwell Fire Department, helped local firefighters lift Ron out of the yard.

Ron said a CAT scan determined that nothing is broken. But he said he's very sore.

As thanks, the Perrons said they plan to take Dharma on a 13-state road trip once Ron is feeling better.

"She performed like an angel," Helen said.