A six-year-old boy from Bingham has been hailed a hero for his part in saving his dad’s life.
Finlay – who is in Year 2 at Nova Education Trust’s Robert Miles Infant School in Bingham – spoke with the emergency services when his dad had a medical emergency.
His Mum, Elaine, takes up the story: “I was looking into getting the home phone disconnected due to no longer needing it. Instead, I decided to teach Finlay how to use it in case of an emergency.
“A few days later, I had popped out when I got a call from Finlay telling me daddy wasn’t well. I could hear that Phil could not breathe and Finlay told me he was on the floor.
“I told Finlay that I would ring an ambulance. When speaking to 999, they took my home phone number and spoke to Finlay. He also let in a friend who had come to help and met the ambulance staff at the door.
“When I arrived home, I found out that Phil was that poorly he had needed compressions. Finlay kept calm and brave throughout. He is a superstar.”
Greg Cox, Divisional Director for Nottinghamshire at East Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We’re incredibly proud of Finlay for his quick thinking and bravery. When his dad became seriously unwell, he stayed calm.
“We’ve created free, fun resources for families to practice these lifesaving skills together, which are available on our website at www.emas.nhs.uk/your-service/event-planning/educational-materials.”
Staff at Robert Miles Infant School have recognised Finlay’s bravery. He was presented with a certificate and was able to tell his class-mates what he did to help his dad.
The school have held lessons and assemblies on what to do in emergency situations to learn more about people who can help. The reception year have a whole topic during a term dedicated to the subject.
Assistant Headteacher, Rosie Pilborough, said: “We have been teaching our pupils what to do in an emergency as it’s so important, even at a very young age.
“Finlay was able to keep so calm in such a tense and difficult situation and that’s remarkable for someone so young. Everyone at the school is so proud of Finlay. He is such a hero.”