'My toddler dialled 999 when I collapsed at home'

"I still can't believe he managed to call 999 and recognise the emergency that was happening."

What began as a normal day at home for Georgia and her two small children turned into a terrifying experience when the Doncaster mum collapsed while playing with a train set.

Georgia, 28, was looking after her three-year-old son James and baby daughter Elodie, but had been feeling unwell all day.

While putting the five-month-old down for a nap, she suddenly lost consciousness.

Yet it was brave James's actions which potentially saved his mum's life. The toddler dialled 999, having learned how to do so during a visit to the National Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield.

A police call handler was able to talk through the situation with James until Georgia, who had fainted due to what was later diagnosed as postural hypotension and dehydration, woke up.

Georgia said she was "terrified" when she regained consciousness because the two children had been alone - though baby Elodie was still asleep.

"When I came round, I was an absolute mess. But the police operator on the other end of the phone managed to calm me and two officers came round to my home to check on my welfare.

"They were fantastic as they managed to distract James while I was being checked over, which was a massive help."

Postural hypotension is caused by a drop in blood pressure, and Georgia had suffered from severe sickness throughout her second pregnancy, sometimes vomiting 30 times a day.

South Yorkshire Police officers who attended the family home in Hatfield later returned to present James with a toy helicopter in recognition of his decision-making.

The call handler, Jen, said despite his age, James was able to communicate what had happened to Georgia, and she changed her style of speech when she realised how old he was.

Jen said: "Working as a police call handler is a role that comes with a great deal of pressure.

"We speak to people on some of the worst days of their lives, often making difficult decisions in a matter of seconds.

"It can be emotionally demanding, and we don't always hear what happened afterwards or receive positive feedback about the difference we've made."

Jen assessed the situation and deployed officers so Georgia could be treated.

"My priority was to keep James calm while finding a way to help him understand what I needed him to do.

"Instead of giving instructions that might have frightened or confused him, I turned it into a game, asking him to tickle his mum to try and wake her up.

"Hearing him engage with me and then hearing that his mum had regained consciousness was an incredible moment of relief."

Georgia said she and her partner wanted to encourage other parents to speak to their children about calling 999 in emergencies.

"James is an incredible little boy. We still can't believe he managed to do it."

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