Superstar six-year-old uses mum's thumb to call 999
She may only be six years of age but quick-thinking Ruby Walters dialled 999 after she found her mother collapsed unconscious at home.
The youngster also used her initiative to unlock her mother Faye’s mobile phone.
Ruby got hold of her mother’s hand and held her thumb up to the phone to enable her to use the phone.
She told emergency services that her mother was not breathing and not awake before they rushed to their Stafford home to help.
Staffordshire Police have now presented her with a bravery award for her impressive actions, and the call handler who took the emergency call hailed her as a ‘little superstar’.
Faye Walters, 24, had collapsed after suffering a migraine from what is believed to be a right bundle branch block which can sometimes make it harder for a heart to pump blood efficiently around the body.
She said: “I have migraines that knock me off my feet and make me really dizzy. They have been happening for a while and that is when I decided to start showing Ruby how to call emergency services in case something happened to me.
“I tried to explain to her how to unlock my phone with the thumb then get into my contacts and dial my mother along with 999 but you never know how much has gone in.”
“Then one day I felt funny and did not feel right,” she said.
“I started walking downstairs but I collapsed on the landing outside her room.
“I remember telling Ruby to get my phone and I later woke up partly and spoke to emergency services but I do not remember that.
“When I was unconscious, she held my hand up and pressed my thumb to the mobile to unlock it.
“I listened back to the call later and she told them mummy was not breathing and not waking up.
“She was so scared but she did an incredible job.
“I am really proud of her, it is very emotional.
“She was worried because she always likes to be by my side to help me out but the ambulance services were so good with her. They showed her inside the ambulance to keep her calm.”
The young hero was invited to Staffordshire Police headquarters where she was presented a Certificate of Commendation by Assistant Chief Constable Emma Barnett from Staffordshire Police for her bravery.
She also met the call handler who took the phone call, enjoyed a demonstration by the Dog Support Unit and was presented with a goody bag.
She added: “She was incredibly excited when we went to visit the police. She is a quiet girl and will not be in school plays so this is a massive thing that she has done.”
During the presentation at the headquarters, ACC Barnett said: “Ruby demonstrated outstanding bravery and courage during the 999 call she made when she found her mum ‘asleep’ and she showed maturity beyond her years during the ten minute long emergency call.
“Ruby used her initiative to immediately seek help for her mum, and she remained calm on the phone and gave clear and precise information to the call handler until help arrived.
“Ruby is a credit to her family and friends and we are extremely impressed by the actions taken during the 999 call.”
Annie Sant, the call handler who spoke to Ruby during the 999 call, said: “This is one of those calls that you dread taking but Ruby was a little superstar.
“She remained calm throughout and answered all of my questions helping me to get the help she and her mother needed.
“I was so impressed by Ruby’s actions that I felt she needed recognition for her bravery and if we can educate more parents and children in the process about the importance of knowing how to ask for help then even better.”
Miss Walters is currently waiting for an appointment to see a cardiologist.
