Listen to Chesterfield eight-year-old's '˜amazingly calm' 999 call- that saved his mum's life

An '˜incredible' eight-year-old Chesterfield boy who saved his mum's life by calmly dialling 999 as she suffered a stroke has been recognised with a special medal for his bravery.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jul 2018, 11:57 GMT
Updated 16th Jul 2018, 17:04 GMT
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Hero Mitchell Taylor, who lives in Old Whittington, immediately called for an ambulance when he realised his mum, Lauren, was poorly, and proceeded to follow instructions from a 999 call handler to carry out a stroke test.

Thanks to Mitchell’s quick-thinking and calm attitude on the phone, paramedics from East Midlands Ambulance Service were able to get help to 26-year-old Lauren within 10 minutes – and save her life.

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Kyle Thacker, the 999 call handler who took the Cavendish Junior School pupil’s call, was ‘so impressed’ that he nominated Mitchell for a Laverick award – which recognises children who have gone above and beyond to help another.

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Mitchell Taylor received a bravery medal from EMAS at a special assembly at Cavendish Junior School, Mitchell is pictured with 999 call handler Kyle Thacker watched by School friends and paramedicsMitchell Taylor received a bravery medal from EMAS at a special assembly at Cavendish Junior School, Mitchell is pictured with 999 call handler Kyle Thacker watched by School friends and paramedics
Mitchell Taylor received a bravery medal from EMAS at a special assembly at Cavendish Junior School, Mitchell is pictured with 999 call handler Kyle Thacker watched by School friends and paramedics

Kyle, who presented Mitchell with his medal at a special ceremony at his school on Tuesday, said: “Mitchell was without a doubt the best child caller I’ve ever dealt with.

“Children often understandably panic in that kind of situation, but he was amazingly calm – so calm I initially thought it was a hoax.

“There was no hesitant answer from him, he answered all my questions about his mum’s medical history and I was able to determine his mum was suffering from a stroke as we worked through the FAST test.”

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Lauren had been out into the garden to try to call her pet dogs in when she realised she couldn’t speak and her left arm ‘dropped’.

Mitchell Taylor received a bravery medal from EMAS at a special assembly at Cavendish Junior School, Mitchell is pictured with 999 call handler Kyle ThackerMitchell Taylor received a bravery medal from EMAS at a special assembly at Cavendish Junior School, Mitchell is pictured with 999 call handler Kyle Thacker
Mitchell Taylor received a bravery medal from EMAS at a special assembly at Cavendish Junior School, Mitchell is pictured with 999 call handler Kyle Thacker

Unknown to Lauren, she was suffering a rare double stroke that could have killed her.

During the call, Mitchell reassured his mum, looked after and made breakfast for his four-year-old brother, Cody, put their pet dogs away, unlocked the door and showed the ambulance crew where his mum was.

Paramedic Andy Hilton arrived first on scene followed by paramedic James Bonner, paramedic Ryan Mullins and emergency care assistant Kevin Waddingham.

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The ambulance crew took Lauren to Chesterfield Royal Hospital where she was treated for the stroke, and she has recently received heart surgery to remove a tumour.

Lauren said: “When I realised something was wrong, though I couldn’t speak, I tried to tell Mitchell to ring an ambulance- and he was already ringing one. I’m so proud of him.”

Related topics:ChesterfieldChesterfield Royal Hospital