[LISTEN] 9-year-old's 999 Saves Mum
Two Salford girls who rang 999 after their mother collapsed at the wheel of her car have been honoured by police who released the recording of their emergency call. Lily Barber, aged nine, and her sister Eva, six, helped the call handler track down their mother Claire, 41, who had managed to pull over on a busy road while having a seizure before collapsing semi-conscious. Lily begins the call: My mummy's passed out on the motorway... she's only just breathing... I know CPR but I'm not very good at it.'' The girls are able to describe the car and what they can see to help emergency services track them down to Boothstown in Salford.
Ms Barber had completely passed out'' after suffering the seizure on the East Lancs Road.
Moments before police and paramedics arrived, Ms Barber got out of the car and started stumbling on the hard shoulder - at one point falling over and veering into the road. One of the girls offered to go outside and bring their mother to safety, but followed the operator's instruction to stay safe inside the car as police reached the scene. The girls were all smiles as they were honoured at a ceremony held by Greater Manchester Police. Ms Barber, who came around surrounded by paramedics and made a full recovery, said: I was even more impressed with the way Lily and Eva listened to the call handler and to each other while it was happening, even staying in the car when I'm sure all they wanted to do was grab me and keep me safe.''
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: Lily and Eva showed real bravery and maturity when they must have been really scared about what was happening to their mum.''
Stephanie Baxter, the operator who took their call, was also recognised for her professionalism, with Ms Barber thanking her for keeping the girls so calm''.