A six-year-old from Croydon saved her mother’s life by remembering she could phone 999 to call out an ambulance for a medical emergency.
Brave girls: Pearl (second left) and her sister Amelia, with their certificates from the London Ambulance Service
Mum Carole, 36, collapsed at home last summer after suffering a seizure and losing consciousness. She was alone with her daughters, Pearl, aged six, and Amelia, four.
According to the London Ambulance Service, “Despite being frightened, Pearl acted immediately.”
The six-year-old unlocked her mum’s phone, dialled 999 and told call handler Gen Hinds: “She’s lying on the sofa… she’s not awake. Her eyes keep on opening and closing.”
She calmly described how her mum had been foaming at the mouth and shaking, and clearly gave their address when asked.
At one point, Pearl said: “I’m really, really scared.”
Hinds reassured her: “Don’t be scared, we are coming.”
Pearl told the London Ambulance Service call handler she knew what to do when her mum collapsed “because I knew the number and I just memorised it because I really love my mum, so I made sure I knew how to call it”.
Following instructions, Pearl checked to see if her mum was breathing. She confirmed that her mum’s chest was rising and falling.
Paramedic Charlotte Aisbitt arrived in a fast response car in less than five minutes, followed by an ambulance crew a few minutes later.
“The girls were incredible – they saved their mum’s life,” Aisbitt said.
“When I arrived, it must have been so frightening for Pearl and Amelia, but they remained calm and really helped me.
“They listened carefully to what I needed and even helped pack everything they would need for hospital.”
When asked during the 999 call how she knew what to do, Pearl said: “Because I knew the number and I just memorised it because I really love my mum, so I made sure I knew how to call it.”
Carole was taken to hospital, where doctors discovered she had suffered a life-threatening bleed on her brain. She has since made a good recovery.
Proudest day: Carole with her bright daughters
To recognise their bravery, the girls were invited to meet the emergency teams who helped them. Aisbitt and Hinds presented the sisters with commendation certificates and thanked them personally for their actions.
“I think this is the proudest day of my life,” mum Carole said after the special tour.
“I knew Pearl was smart but you don’t know how a child will cope in an emergency.”
London Ambulance Service Director of 999 operations Stuart Crichton, said: “Pearl did absolutely brilliantly in a terrifying situation – she stayed calm, gave clear information, and helped get lifesaving care on the way.
“Teaching your child how to call 999 in an emergency could save a life. They need to know their full address, how to open the front door and when it’s appropriate to ring so help can get to you as quickly as possible.”
For more information on when to call 999, visit the LAS website: Calling 999 – London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
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