A smiling little five-year-old has been given a bravery award for dialling 999 after his mum collapsed – before carrying on getting ready for school.
Tyler Lawrence was getting ready for school when his mum suffered a fit and collapsed, but the clever little boy knew exactly what to do.
The primary school pupil activated an alarm fitted in their home in Chessington, Surrey, that automatically connected him to 999 operator Carly Jones.
In the call, Tyler said: “I am going to school now. Mummy has had a fit.”
Tyler talked to Carly until a friend came in and took over the phone call – while paramedics rushed to the home.
Samantha, 32, said: “He is amazing.
“He knows exactly what to do if I have a seizure – in fact he’s known what to do since he was two years old.
“He calls the alarm for an ambulance, puts me in the recovery position and gets a pillow to put under my head.”
Samantha was born with a tumour and fluid on the brain and has regular seizures.
Clever little Tyler also knows what medication she needs and can approach strangers for help if she has a seizure when they are out.
If an ambulance has to be called to their home in Chessington, Tyler goes on to their balcony so he can call to the crew to come up.
Carly has since presented Tyler with a certificate to reward his life-saving skills after being impressed by Tyler’s calm response to the emergency.
She said: “Tyler was amazing. He stayed calm even though he is just five.
“It was lovely to meet Tyler and Samantha, to learn more about their story and give Tyler the recognition he deserves.
“His mum has done a brilliant job teaching him how to deal with an emergency – all parents should teach their children how to call 999 and basic first aid.
“Tyler is a shining example that young children can put the life-saving skills they’re taught into practice.”
Samantha lives alone with Tyler and when he’s at school, she has a special pendant to wear to call for help.
Samantha added: “He has a lot to cope with at a young age but he’s always telling me not to worry.
“He tells me not to stress about anything and not to rush around because he knows that could cause me to have a fit.
“He also knows what medication I need.
“If we are out and I have a seizure, he is very confident – he will ask someone to call for an ambulance, telling them his mummy has epilepsy.
“I’m so happy London Ambulance Service has recognised how amazing he is.”