Tear-jerking call captures moment four-year-old girl saves mum who collapsed

A four-year-old girl who called 999 when her mum suffered a blackout has received a special award for her bravery and quick-thinking.

RAF employee Michelle Turner passed out without warning at her home in Waddington in July 2015, with her daughter, Maya, the only other person in the house.

Despite being distressed by her mum collapsing in front of her, Maya dialled 999 as she had been taught to do by her parents.

After initially hanging up, Maya was kept on the phone at the second time of asking by EMAS control operator Sam Murfin, who was able to keep her talking and find out their address.

Sam then reassured Maya that help was on the way.

Photo: Stefan Pidluznyj for The Lincolnite

Michelle said: “We were both in the dining room and I popped in to get my phone charger from the living room and never made it.

“I collapsed in the hallway and that’s when Maya phoned 999.”

Michelle had collapsed eight or nine times previously due to an ongoing medical condition which has not as yet been diagnosed.

She was aware that she could collapse again, so had written 999 on paper and a picture of an ambulance next to the phone in case Maya needed to call for help.

Maya receiving her award for bravery. Photo: Stefan Pidluznyj for The Lincolnite

Michelle added: “She made a brilliant decision – the first call didn’t go ever so well because she was crying, didn’t speak and put the phone down but then she must’ve thought she’d have to do it again.

“I’m just so amazingly proud of her. We’d told her what to do but for her to actually go ahead and pick up the phone was amazing.

“We had a pizza in the oven which the police switched off when they arrived – if Maya hadn’t called I’ve no idea what would’ve happened.

“I’m also so grateful for Sam’s efforts in keeping Maya on the phone long enough to get our address.”

Sam Murfin said: “This is a great example of why it’s important to teach children what to do in an emergency.

“Who knows what might have happened if Maya hadn’t known what to do?”

Four-year-old Maya Turner with her dad John (left), mum Michelle (right), and EMAS control operator Sam Murfin. Photo: Stefan Pidluznyj for The Lincolnite

Maya was presented with a ‘Laverick Medal’ – a special award made to children who do something which merits recognition.

The award is in memory of Nick Laverick, a Paramedic Team Leader from EMAS who tragically lost his battle with cancer on his 37th birthday in September 2013.