A Norfolk girl has been praised for her quick-thinking in an emergency when she found her mum struggling to breathe.
Elektra Reed kept a calm and cool head when she had to call 999 last month – and has had the chance to meet the person who helped her first.
The nine-year-old from Norwich called the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) after her mum Helena experienced a sudden shortness of breath.
With Helena unable to speak, Elektra dialled 999 and explained the symptoms to call handler Erica Crowe, who spoke with her until the ambulance crew arrived.
Elektra who attends George White Junior School in Norwich, was presented with a certificate praising her outstanding actions on Thursday (8th January).
Helena, who also attended the presentation, explained that she was at home with Elektra on 13th December when she started getting shortness of breath and found it difficult to speak.
“Elektra immediately dialled 999 and from what I remember she was really good and gave her name, my name, my date of birth, address and my symptoms. I am very proud of her.
“I would also like to say a massive thank you to the paramedics who arrived [Andrew Watts and Ian Seymour-Blackburn] who kept me calm and sat with me for over an hour until I felt a better,” she said.
Elektra, who hopes to work in the NHS when she grows up, also presented a bouquet of flowers to Erica, and was given a behind the scenes tour of EEAST’s emergency control room in Norwich to show where some of the region’s 999 calls are answered and how emergency crews are dispatched.
Erica said she was impressed by the attitude of the schoolgirl when she called last month.
“She was very calm and collected and answered all the questions I asked and when she did not know, she asked her mum.
“She was very polite and mature for her age,” she said.