A five-year-old who called 999 after his mum was in the throes of a near-fatal asthma attack is being celebrated as a lifesaver.
Little Oliver Bott was being driven to St Edmund’s Primary School by mum Suzanne, 36, last Thursday when she suffered the attack which left her unable to speak.
After she managed to pull over to the side of the road opposite his school, Oliver, who was sitting in the back of car, managed to climb through to the front where he called 999 and got an ambulance called out for his mum.
He also alerted the attention of another parent, who was able to help further.
Paramedics at the scene said Oliver’s quick thinking may well have saved his mum’s life, Surrey Live reports.
Despite the ordeal, he went to school as usual following the incident and Suzanne, who was taken to Royal Surrey County Hospital following the attack, is now making a recovery at home.
Oliver’s dad David, 37, said: “When the paramedics got there she only had blood oxygen levels of 80% which is very low.
"We’re not talking about puffy after PE asthma, we are talking about something which can get life-threatening very quickly.
“I’ve seen a few of them myself and it’s pretty scary which makes it all the more impressive that he reacted.
"When I heard about it I broke out crying, I was just so proud that he could do it and took the initiative.
He added: “He’s a little legend, he really is.
"He’s a very caring kid and he’s spent this weekend trying to do things to make mummy feel better.”
David put down his son’s fast thinking to Oliver’s obsession with TV programs like CBBC’s Operation Ouch and listening to doctor-turned-comedian Adam Kay on audiobook.
While Oliver was key to his mum’s survival last week he also praised the school for looking after him after the incident.
He added: “We’ve talked to him about how to dial 999 but this was the first time he’s ever had to do it.
"I think it’s so important that kids know how to dial 999, know not to freak out and know that it’s not scary, the call handler was absolutely lovely from what I’ve been told.”
