Little boy saved his mum’s life by calling 999 and alerting police

A five-year-old boy wants to become a police officer after he heroically saved his mum's life when she collapsed.

Arthur, from Cornwall, quickly called 999 when he found his epileptic mum Ashleigh on the floor 'shaking and shivering' after collapsing on Boxing Day morning.

Arthur carefully listened to instructions by the emergency services call handler and opened the door once paramedics arrived.

Police later said that his quick reactions likely saved his mum's life - for which he was later rewarded with a special award at his school assembly.

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Speaking about the incident, Ashleigh said: "I can’t remember much now, but I’ve since learned that Arthur, who was the only other person in the house at the time, picked up the phone and called 999 at the start of my first seizure.

"At some point Arthur did this after finding me on the floor and he continued talking to the emergency services when I had two more seizures.

"Arthur was so brave and stayed by my side, looking after me and listened to instructions on the phone from the 999-call handler.”

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Ashleigh says her son's quick thinking is down to games they play to help him learn how to call emergency services in case of an emergency.

After being diagnosed with epilepsy last year, the mum has set up a series of educational, role play games with Arthur, teaching him what numbers to call, who he is and where he lives.

She also set up short dial numbers so Arthur could quickly call his dad, too.

Devon & Cornwall Police Constable Amy Holloway from the St Austell team said: “We were first on the scene to look after mum and Arthur and to check their welfare ahead of the ambulance arriving.

"Arthur was very brave throughout the whole emergency, he stayed on the phone while mum became unconscious, listening and following the directions of the 999-call handler.

"He opened the front door ready for us, so we could check that both were okay. We administered first-aid until paramedics arrived and they delivered lifesaving intervention.”

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Meanwhile, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s Police Commander Ben Deer added: “We’re really pleased to hear that mum is recovering and we’re especially pleased to hear that Arthur received a well-deserved bravery award at St Mewan Primary school in assembly recently.

"It’s really important that families take time to prepare for emergency situations in a practical and fun way like Ashleigh and her family did, so they can react calmly to whatever may happen in their home – to know what to do if they need help from the 999 team.”