Commendation award for helping mum

An eight-year-old boy from Stockton has been awarded a commendation certificate from North East Ambulance Service after calling for help for his mum.

Luke Best dialled 999 on 8 December after his mum Michelle began fighting for breath at their home in Briardene Court.

North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) 999 call handler Jill Davison stayed on the phone to Luke until the ambulance arrived and by that point, Michelle’s breathing had improved and she felt well enough not to need hospital treatment.

Jill, aged 36, of Fenham, who has worked as a 111 call handler since 2013 and began working on 999 in September last year, was so impressed with the way that Luke handled the call that she decided to put him forward for a commendation certificate.

Jill presented Luke with the certificate when she met up with them at their home.

“It can be incredibly scary for anyone to call 999 but especially so for children,” said Jill.

“I wish all callers were like Luke, he did such an amazing job. He stayed calm throughout the call and asked every question exactly as I asked him.”

Luke said: “I was just lying in bed and I heard mam choking. I ran downstairs and called 999 straight away. It was a bit scary but I’ve done it before so I knew what to do.

“It was really nice to see Jill and I can’t wait to show my certificate to everyone at school.”

Michelle, aged 39, added: “Since I had Luke I’ve had problems with my throat and this has happened a few times. That morning I went to take a tablet and it caught in my throat, I just felt it shut.

“I didn’t know if Luke would be able to hear me with him being upstairs but he came flying down the stairs and said ‘it’s alright mam I’m going to ring 999’. He was great.

“He’s epileptic and I think because he’s been in and out of hospital since he was a baby, nothing phases him.