A “quick-thinking” five-year-old boy who used his toy ambulance to help save his mum’s life when she slipped into a diabetic coma has been praised by police.
Josh Chapman, from Telford in Shropshire, was forced to take action when he found his mum Caroline lying unconscious at home.
Never having called the emergency services before, the smart schoolboy spotted the European emergency number 112 on the side of his toy ambulance vehicle and called it.
The number provides the same purpose as dialling 999 and Josh was connected to the police who were able to take charge of the situation and call for medical assistance.
The 41-year-old had been playing with Josh and his younger brother in the living room when she blacked out.
Speaking to the Daily Record Caroline said: “I woke up surrounded by paramedics – and a lot of toys – and they explained to me that Josh had called them and given them our address.
“I couldn’t quite believe it. He has never used a phone before. He had looked at the number on the side of his toy ambulance and dialled 112. I didn’t even know that number was on there but it worked and I am so proud of him.
“Usually I feel my levels dropping but this time I didn’t. He said he went to fetch some sweeties but there was none in the jar so he called an ambulance.
To mark his brave actions officers from his local police force invited him to tour the station.
Local policing commander Superintendent Jim Baker from West Mercia Police said: “This was an incredible thing for Josh to do, his quick thinking saw him ring the number on his toy ambulance as he was worried about his mum.
“He was very brave and stayed on the line while we were able to get to the family’s home and make sure his mum got medical assistance.
“Josh has already proved he would make a brilliant police officer in the future. Hopefully we’ll see him again when he’s old enough as a new recruit.”
