A 14-year-old girl from Sittingbourne, Kent, has been praised for her bravery after calling 999 when her younger brother collapsed in June 2025.

Ruby-Louise was at home with her brother Tyler when he rapidly started to become unwell. She quickly alerted her parents and helped Tyler to sit down, aiding his head as he collapsed.

Remaining calm under pressure, Ruby-Louise dialled 999 and spoke to Emergency Medical Advisor Clare Stewart, who triaged the call and classified it as a Category 1 emergency, the most serious level of response. Clare gave Ruby-Louise detailed but clear instructions to place Tyler in the recovery position, and to monitor his breathing.

Meanwhile, and also in the Emergency Operations Centre was Resource Dispatcher and Associate Ambulance Practitioner, Lucy Swatton, who coordinated a team of six to respond to the family home to provide Tyler with urgent care.

With epilepsy affecting approximately 112,000 children and young people within the UK, Community First Responders Lewis O’Callaghan and Craig Day were at the home within six minutes of the call, followed closely by Critical Care Paramedic Jim Walmsley, Paramedics Matthew Chambers and Daria Baranowska, and Associate Ambulance Practitioner Diana Parker.

Tyler was brought back to consciousness and assessed before being taken to Medway Maritime Hospital for a short stay where it was later confirmed that he has epilepsy.

To congratulate Ruby-Louise on her bravery, the family were invited to Medway’s Make Ready Centre in Gillingham where they were reunited with Clare, Lucy, Lewis, Craig, Matthew, Daria and Diana. Ruby-Louise was presented with a certificate in recognition of her bravery in calling 999, as well as given a tour of the facility, including the control room where her 999 call came into.

Craig said “As soon as we saw the call come in, both Lewis and I self-allocated to the incident which was just roads away from where we were in Sittingbourne. As a volunteer in the community, it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to be able to reunite with those we’ve helped and we’re glad to see Tyler doing so well.”

Ruby-Louise’s mum, Sophie said “I am so proud of Ruby-Louise for calling 999 and following clear instructions from call taker, Clare, and even more proud that she’s been recognised by the service for her bravery.”