Toddler dials 999 twice to save epileptic mum

Published on Saturday 20 September 2008 23:50

A THREE-YEAR-OLD boy saved his mother's life by dialling 999 twice after she suffered an epileptic fit.

Leanne Thomson said last night that she was "very proud" of her son Jack, who called emergency services from her mobile phone and told operators she was lying sick in the hallway and his father was out at work.

The phone then cut out, but the resourceful toddler found his father's mobile and dialled 999 again.

He could not tell operators where he lived but the second phone call enabled them to trace his location and send help to his home in Lochgelly, Fife.

Police and ambulance crews forced entry into the family's home and found Thomson lying in the hallway, having suffered an epileptic fit.

She was treated by emergency workers and is now safely recovering at home.

Thomson, 23, said she and her husband Gavin, 21, had taught their young son how to dial 999 if she ever had a fit.

She said: "We've always taught him if he was ever on his own with mum to phone 999 if she had a fit.

"He is quite a clever boy. I'm very proud of him – he is just a three-year-old boy, and he has saved his mum's life."

Jack was at home with his sisters Holly, two, and eight-month-old baby Kirsty, who 999 operators could hear crying in the background at the time of the incident.

Thomson only learned what her son had done when she woke up and found herself surrounded by paramedics.

She said: "Jack is a bit upset but he is okay and we are going to give him a treat."

Police last night praised the three-year-old for his quick action.

Inspector Duncan Ormiston said: "Without doubt, young Jack has saved his mum's life. For such a young boy to have the presence of mind to not only phone 999, but to phone us on another mobile phone after the battery had run down, is phenomenal.

"The consequences of his mother not receiving immediate medical attention may have been disastrous.

"Jack deserves a medal, and I have arranged for a police hat and some goodies to be sent out to him as the contact centre's honorary wee special constable."