An ambulance crew from South East Coast Ambulance Service
NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) have commended a three-year-old Kent
girl for her brave actions in raising the alarm for her mum when
she had collapsed at their home in Snodland.
Early in the morning of 31 July, Isabelle Solly, 3, realised
that something was wrong with her mum, Kay, when she saw her
collapse on the floor. With her dad away at work, she bravely
called 999 and spoke in a clear and calm manner with the emergency
medical advisor describing what had happened and that she needed an
ambulance for her mummy.
Isabelle clearly described what had happened, answered all the
questions she could and remained calm. Two ambulance cars were
dispatched to the scene with Ambulance Technician Ross Orpin
arriving first, closely followed by Paramedic Matt Cooper. Ross
said: “Both Matt and I were astonished at what this little girl had
done for her mum. Luckily at this point Isabelle’s mum had regained
consciousness and was able to open the door to us. Following
some tests nothing serious was discovered and she was able to stay
at home.”
Much to Isabelle’s delight and surprise, Ross and Matt invited
her to visit Paddock Wood Make Ready Centre to be presented with a
Chief Executive’s Recognition Certificate for her brave
actions.
When asked why she had called the ambulance service,
Isabelle was very matter of fact saying: “Because my mummy had
collapsed and I used mummy’s phone to call an ambulance.”
Busy mum of three, Kay, who also had her six-month-old baby son
Jack with her in the house, said: “It was just a normal busy
morning, I couldn’t have foreseen anything like this happening. To
this day, Chris, her dad, myself and my parents are still baffled
as to how Isabelle could have made the emergency call. But we
are so proud of her that she did and it shows how grown up she is
for her age and not only that, she made sure that her little
brother was safe.”
Isabelle received her certificate in the presence of her proud
parents, grandparents Dave and Frances and Jack. As a special
treat, she was shown round an ambulance and tested out the blue
lights and tail lift.
Paramedic Matt added: “I’m really pleased that Ross and I have
been able to recognise Isabelle’s actions and to see meet her made
our day. Despite being so young, she was very competent in
answering lots of questions which helped us assess beforehand how
serious the situation could have been once we got to her home. It
would have been quite scary for a child but she did extremely well
staying on the phone until we arrived. We are both really
amazed by just how well she did, and all her family must be very
proud of her.”
Grandmother Frances said: “It was a wonderful experience
for Isabelle and she will have lots to tell when she is next at
pre-school. The certificate will get a special place in her new
bedroom which she will move into soon. We all had a lovely
day.”