'Scared' six-year-old calls ambulance to save mum

A six-year-old girl who called 999 and saved her mother's life when she suffered a bleed on the brain has been honoured, along with her younger sister, by London Ambulance Service (LAS).

Pearl told the call handler she knew what to do when her mum Carole 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".

Pearl and her four-year-old sister Amelia were at home in Croydon last summer when 36-year-old Carole had a seizure and lost consciousness.

Paramedic Charlotte Aisbitt, who arrived in a fast response car in less than five minutes, said the girls had been "incredible".

"Really scared" Pearl 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, LAS said.

Pearl told the call handler: "I'm really, really scared."

Hinds reassured her: "Don't be scared, we are coming."

Pearl followed instructions to check if her mother was breathing and confirmed that her chest was rising and falling.

Aisbitt, who was joined by an ambulance crew shortly after she arrived, said: "The girls were incredible – they saved their mum's life.

"When I arrived, it must have been so frightening for Pearl and Amelia, but they remained calm and really helped me."

The sisters even helped her pack "everything they would need for hospital", she said.

Carole was treated in hospital where doctors discovered she had suffered a life-threatening bleed on her brain.

She has since made a good recovery and said she was "extremely happy and proud" as the girls met the emergency teams who helped them and were presented with commendation certificates.

Carole added: "I think this is my proudest moment.

"I knew Pearl was smart but you don't know how a child will cope in an emergency."

The sisters were given a tour of an ambulance and shown some of the life-saving equipment on board.

LAS 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."

He urged parents to teach their child how to call 999 in an emergency, know their full address, how to open the front door, and when it is appropriate to ring.

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