A quick-thinking schoolboy who helped save his dad's life when he collapsed at home making breakfast has received a special award from Police Scotland.
Callum Tracey, 5, was staying at his dad Kevin Hay's house when the 43-year-old fell to the floor in the kitchen on Monday, May 29. The youngster, who has communication difficulties, wasn't able to say the word 'ambulance' and so asked for the police instead, with officers then able to dispatch paramedics to the house in Blantyre, Lanarkshire.
Thanks to Callum's brave actions, his dad is recovering well and has since been discharged from hospital. Callum's mum Alexis Tracey, who co-parents with Kevin, said she couldn't be prouder of the youngster.
Speaking to the Record, the 41-year-old said: "He has absolutely blown our minds, I don't have the words for how proud I am. He must have been absolutely terrified seeing daddy on the floor, but he was so confident and done absolutely amazing."
Callum was born with tongue-tie, where the strip of skin connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is shorter than usual, and has gone through speech and language therapy. Despite this, his parents made sure that both Callum and his older brother Alfie knew how to call for help in case of an emergency.
Alexis, from Cambuslang, said: "I have epilepsy, so calling emergency services is something me and Kevin have taught the boys from a very young age. With Callum's communication issues, we never thought he had taken as much in as Alfie, but obviously he understands a lot more than we thought."
After his dad collapsed, Callum used his phone to call emergency services and was able to tell the operator his full name and what school he goes to. From this, police were able to trace the address, with Callum staying on the phone and then opening the front door for paramedics when they arrived.
Kevin was then rushed to hospital and kept in for a few days. Doctors are still trying to determine what caused him to collapse, but he is recovering well and looking forward to seeing Callum at the weekend.
The youngster also received a visit from Police Lanarkshire PCs Young and Burrell, who awarded him with a Certificate of Recognition and two police hats for his quick-thinking and bravery. The schoolboy was delighted by the visit, and now says he wants to be a police officer when he grows up.
The youngster also received a visit from Police Lanarkshire PCs Young and Burrell, who awarded him with a Certificate of Recognition and two police hats for his quick-thinking and bravery. The schoolboy was delighted by the visit, and now says he wants to be a police officer when he grows up.
Alexis said: "The first night or two after it happened Callum woke up a bit upset, but since then, because everyone has been telling him how well he's done, he's starting to realise that he did a good thing.
"He absolutely loved the police visit and says he wants to be a policeman when he grows up so he can help people, which I think is absolutely amazing. I really appreciated the two officers coming out and they were really nice and patient with him - they really made him feel special."
Alexis believes Callum's actions have shown the importance of teaching children how to call 999.
She added: "I absolutely encourage all parents to teach their children really young, like I did with Callum and his brothers, especially if mum, dad or any other family members have a medical condition.
"It's such a scary experience, but Callum knew what to do and he managed so well - it can really save lives."
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