Esmai Boyce, of Clare, receives bravery award after calling 999 to save her mum

A four-year-old girl has received a bravery award after calling 999 to get help for her unconscious mum.

Esmai Boyce, of Clare, called 999 on Monday, December 2 when her mum, Lauren Everitt, would not respond to her.

Despite having autism and only learning to speak properly a year ago due to a speech delay, Esmai managed to speak with call handler Hollie Kett at the Norwich Emergency Operations Centre to get help.

Lauren eventually regained consciousness and was able to provide contact details for family members to care for Esmai while paramedics were on their way. Lauren was then taken to West Suffolk Hospital for treatment.

In recognition of her quick thinking and courage, Esmai was presented with a bravery award from Neill Moloney, the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust’s (EEAST) Chief Executive.

She was also reunited with Hollie, who remembers the call and Esmai’s bravery.

“It’s one of those calls you don’t forget,” she said. “Esmai was incredibly brave on the phone, and from what she told me, I arranged for an ambulance crew to go to her house and help her mum.

“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet Esmai in person and give her a big hug."

While receiving her award at Sudbury ambulance station, Esmai also had the opportunity to look round an ambulance with Liam Walker, local operations manager.

Lauren, Esmai’s mum, said: "The whole family is incredibly proud of how Esmai reacted when I wouldn’t respond and she was able to get help for me by calling 999.

“It’s amazing that, despite her delayed speech, she spoke to the ambulance service and they were able to locate our address using the phone signal.

"For her to receive this award is phenomenal and she hasn’t stopped talking about it to her friends at school."