Award for child who rang 999 for unresponsive mum

A brave four-year-old girl who rang 999 when her mum became unresponsive at home has won an award.

Esmai, from Clare, Suffolk, rang the emergency services in December when mum, Lauren Everitt, would not respond to her.

The little girl has autism and speech delay meaning she had only learned to speak fully a year ago, but was able to get an ambulance to her mum who recovered.

East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust presented Esmai with a bravery award, which Ms Everitt said was "phenomenal".

In the 999 call, Esmai can be heard answering questions from call handler Hollie Kett in the Norwich Emergency Operations Centre.

She told the call handler that "mummy isn't feeling very well", and while she was breathing, she was not awake.

Ms Everitt did regain consciousness and was able to provide contact details for other family members who could come to their house to look after Esmai while paramedics were dispatched.

She was eventually taken by ambulance to West Suffolk Hospital.

"The whole family is incredibly proud of how Esmai reacted when I wouldn't respond, and she was able to get help for me by calling 999," Ms Everitt said.

"It's amazing that, despite her delayed speech, she spoke to the ambulance service, and they were able to locate our address using the phone signal.

"For her to receive this award is phenomenal, and she hasn't stopped talking about it to her friends at school."

Esmai was presented with her award at Sudbury ambulance station by the chief executive of the ambulance trust, Neill Moloney.

She was also reunited with call handler Ms Kett who said her call with Esmai was one she would not forget.

"Esmai was incredibly brave on the phone, and from what she told me, I arranged for an ambulance crew to go to her house and help her mum," she said.

"I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet Esmai in person and give her a big hug."

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