Maidstone child praised for 999 call to South East Coast Ambulance Service which saved his mum’s life

A seven-year-old boy has been hailed a hero for saving his mum’s life after she collapsed at home with a blood clot.

Franklin, from Maidstone, was with his younger siblings when his mother Paris fell suddenly ill at the family home – becoming unresponsive.

Alone with his younger siblings, five-year-old Rosie and two-year-old Teddy, Franklin was able to use Paris’s iPhone SOS feature to dial 999.

His call was taken by emergency medical advisor Sarah Dolphin, who categorised it as a Category 1 emergency – the highest priority response.

Within five minutes, South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) workers Paul Wakefield and Tabitha Burton were on the scene, greeted at the door by quick-thinking Franklin.

To recognise the young man’s bravery, Franklin and his family were invited to SECAmb’s Medway Make Ready Centre, where they reunited with some of the team involved in the emergency response.

The visit included a behind-the-scenes tour of the emergency operations centre, where Franklin saw exactly where his 999 call had been answered, as well as a special look inside an ambulance.

Franklin’s mum, Paris, said: “I’m so incredibly proud of Franklin for staying so calm, and I can’t thank everyone enough for their help that day.

“Knowing that he knew what to do in an emergency made all the difference - I’m a very proud mum.”

Sarah Dolphin, who took Franklin’s call on November 24 last year, added: “I remember Franklin’s 999 call like it was yesterday. He did an amazing job.

“For someone so young to stay calm and provide us with the information we needed to get help to his mum quickly is incredible.

“He should be really proud of himself.”

Following a full assessment at home, Paris was taken to Maidstone Hospital and has made a full recovery.