This 3-year-old was one of the youngest heroes who saved a life. Thanks to a cartoon show that teaches kids what to do in emergencies, his mom’s life was saved.
Several days ago, Thomas Boffey from Rowley Regis, West Mids, England, saved his mom, Kayleigh Boffey. Indeed great things come in small packages. This toddler displayed quick-wittedness and composure as he attended to his mommy’s medical emergency. Children his age could be scared to see their moms injured and in pain, but brave little Thomas ensured that his mom got the help she needed at the right time.
A couple of hours after lunchtime, Kayleigh bathed his son. She went up to get his clothes after he had a bathroom accident. Unfortunately, on the way down, this young boy’s mom experienced excruciating pain from her hernia and enlarged spleen. She fell down the stairs and was almost unconscious.
The little boy instantly knew what to do. He grabbed the phone and called 999 for help. He must have been extra observant, for he knew where his mom’s phone was. “He climbed up onto my window sill in the living room to get my phone, and he managed to phone the operator,” Kayleigh narrated. “They couldn’t understand what he was on about but directed him to the police.”
The emergency responders arrived but, the door was closed. This little boy gathered his strength, pushed a heavy chair to the gate, climbed over, got the keys off the pushchair, put the right key in the hole, and opened it. This thankful mom narrated how the young boy was able to let the responders get in.
It turned out that he had been watching his mom closely when she opened the door. He copied what he saw and managed to save her. “I think he knew how to do it by copying me. I always tell him, ‘This is the key to open the door,'” Kayleigh said. The police said, ‘Can you open the door, little man?’ He opened it and told them that, ‘Mommy won’t wake up.’
Thanks to this young man’s wit, alertness, and observant behavior, he was able not only to copy her mom opening the door, but he was also able to remember what “Robocar POLI” did during emergencies. It’s a South Korean cartoon featuring the super transforming Robocar Rescue Team that saves neighbors and friends from danger. Through their rescue efforts, kids get to know safety tips.
The officers took Thomas outside and let him push buttons on their police car. They even let him turn on its lights while his mom’s being checked. The responders have been extra nice to the boy, and Kayleigh appreciated that a lot. “The boy was clearly confused and worried…but he’d done brilliantly at such a young age to know that if you dial 999, we are here to help,” Andy Beard, Head of Force Contact, said.
Kayleigh had injuries on her shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle because of the fall. But, she remained proud of what his son did. Boffey encourages parents to educate their kids in times of emergencies. “It’s important to show them stuff like that so they can understand what numbers and call for help,” she explained. “If mom or dad in the family gets hurt and they’re on their own, they know how to stay safe and get help somehow. He was so young, but he understood what to do.”
The operator, Morgane, was also commended for guiding Thomas on what to do and ensuring that he remained calm throughout. “Morgane built up a rapport with the boy, remained calm, and offered him reassurance right up till the point officers, and the ambulance arrived to take over. Our call handlers are highly trained to deal with emergency situations like this, including how to advise people to stay safe and perform first aid,” Beard proudly said.
This story could have ended tragically, but “Tommy” became an instant hero when he’s needed the most. Ultimately, it’s God who has been watching over this mom and baby. It’s He who made sure that everything fell into their proper places to give Kayleigh the help she needed. Praying is like calling 999, but it’s not just our emergency hotline. It’s also our way of talking to a Father who delights in listening to our pains, victories, and even mundane things. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. He has all the time to listen to everyone.
