'My five-year-old girl's 999 call saved my life'

'My five-year-old girl's 999 call saved my life'

Just now

Aida Fofana

,

West Midlands

and

Sarah Julian

,

BBC Radio WM

A girl from the Black Country, who helped save her mum's life aged five, has become the youngest person ever to receive a bravery award from West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS).

Mya Kaur Sangha, from Rowley Regis, was said to have calmly called 999 after her mum, Neeta, suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness at home in February.

Neeta, who was looking after Mya and her two younger siblings, aged three and eight months, became seriously unwell with suspected sepsis.

Despite being so young, Mya managed to call an ambulance and give the emergency call handler their home address, her mum's name and the children's ages.

She then carefully followed the operator's instructions, including opening the front door so that paramedics could get inside and help her mum.

Hospital staff later told the family that Mya's actions saved Neeta's life.

Neeta told BBC Radio WM she only began to understand what had happened when she regained consciousness.

"When I sort of woke up, I woke up to the paramedics and all my family around me. I wasn't really sure what happened in that time, but I just know that Mya managed to call an ambulance and saved me.

"She called the ambulance. She managed to give our address, she gave my name [and] she managed to give the siblings' ages.

"I think she told them exactly what happened and she followed all the instructions."

Neeta said she was impressed with how well her daughter did under the stress of the situation.

"She actually told them, 'I'm not allowed to go outside,' which was amazing because obviously that would be a massive worry, but she did amazingly."

Mya's dad, Jag, said the family had never imagined their daughter would need to put what she'd learned about emergencies into practice so soon.

"We started at the age of four, to teach her at home what our address is and, in an emergency, just call 999.

"You only hear about this in the newspapers, magazines, but yeah, it's your little girl," he said.

Neeta said Mya had survived sepsis as a baby, making the family's experience all the more significant.

Mya's extraordinary actions were recognised in September, when she received the West Midlands Ambulance Service Young Person of Outstanding Bravery Award.

She was presented with her certificate by Anthony Marsh, WMAS chief executive, and Carmen Watson DL, the High Sheriff of the West Midlands.

Mya, now aged 6, described the ceremony as "really exciting."

Having experienced first-hand the difference emergency crews can make, Mya is already dreaming of a career helping others.

"I want to be a doctor," she said.

The family said they could not be prouder of their little girl, whose calmness and courage in a frightening situation made all the difference.

They also hope her story will encourage other parents to talk to their children about what to do if someone at home suddenly becomes seriously unwell.

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