Quick-thinking Ashington five-year-old to the rescue

Posted by The Journal on Jan 30, 09 10:20 AM in News

Pint-sized hero Ewan Parry listened and learned when his mother told him exactly what to do if she ever suffered an epileptic fit while they were home alone.

And five-year-old Ewan's attention to detail paid dividends when mum Diane's worst fears were realised and she collapsed with a seizure in the living room early one morning.

Ewan Parry and mum Diane

Belying his tender years - and putting aside the shock of finding Diane lying slumped on the sofa - he quickly went to the phone and dialled 999.

Through his tears, Ewan was able to give the ambulance control room operator his name and address, and told her his mum was sick and not talking to him.

An ambulance was immediately sent to the house in College Road, Ashington, Northumberland, where paramedics Rob Bunting, pictured, and Noel Athey were greeted by little Ewan on the doorstep.

Ewan Parry with Paramedic Rob Bunting Just before they got there, Ewan's grandmother Jacqueline Johnson arrived to pick him up for school. He told her: "Mammy's having a fit but I've called the ambulance."

When Rob and Noel arrived seconds later he told them: "I phoned you because I know your number," and when they asked him what it was he shouted out 999.

Diane, 27, who has suffered from epilepsy since she was five, was taken by ambulance to Wansbeck General Hospital for further treatment, and has since made a full recovery.

Yesterday Ewan, a pupil at Ashington's Coulson Park First School, was presented with a bravery certificate by Rob and Noel on behalf of the North East Ambulance Service.

Diane said: "Ewan has seen me have seizures before but there has always been someone there at the time, not just him.

"I have drummed into him that he should either phone my mam's number, or dial 999 if he is really worried. I can't remember much about the morning this happened but I am so proud of what he did.

"He is quite good at taking things in and he did very well to remember our address, because we had lived there for less than two months.

"He has told everyone about what happened and has been bragging about it to his school friends. All I remember is getting up that morning and the next thing was hearing the ambulance men talking to me.

"I just think Ewan was great in staying so calm. It speaks volumes that Rob and Noel got in touch to thank him formally."

Rob said: "It is very rare for a five-year-old to make a 999 call like Ewan did. I was taken aback because he's quite a young fella and he was very matter-of-fact about the whole incident.

2He was obviously concerned about his mam but he wasn't flustered at all, just very calm and cool. I was extremely impressed."

Noel said: "When we were treating his mam Ewan was very calm, getting ready for school and packing his lunch box."

Watch a video of Diane and Ewan

We'd like to hear from you.
Send your stories, pics and videos to northumberland@ncjmedia.co.uk