A young girl from Croydon has been recognised for her extraordinary courage after she dialled emergency services when her mother experienced a life-threatening medical crisis at home last year.
Pearl, aged six, sprang into action when her 35-year-old mum Carole collapsed, suffering a seizure and losing consciousness while alone with her two daughters.
The young heroine managed to unlock her mother's mobile phone and contact 999, providing vital information that helped get medical assistance to their home.
Pearl and her four-year-old sister Amelia have now been honoured by the London Ambulance Service, with commendation certificates for their actions during the terrifying ordeal.
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Speaking to call handler Gen Hinds, Pearl described finding her mother "lying on the sofa" and unresponsive, explaining that "her eyes keep opening and closing".
Despite her fear, the six-year-old provided crucial details about her mother's condition, telling the operator that Carole had been shaking and foaming at the mouth.
"I'm really, really scared," Pearl admitted during the call, but she remained composed enough to supply their home address when requested.
Following instructions from Ms Hinds, Pearl was able to confirm that her mother was still breathing by observing that her chest was moving up and down.
Paramedic Charlotte Aisbitt reached the family's home in a fast response car within five minutes of the emergency call.
She described both children as "incredible" and credited them with saving their mother's life.
"When I arrived, it must have been so frightening for Pearl and Amelia, but they remained calm and really helped me," Ms Aisbitt said.
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The siblings were honoured by staff of London Ambulance Service
|LONDON AMBULANCE SERVICE
"They listened carefully to what I needed and even helped pack everything they would need for hospital."
An ambulance crew arrived approximately five minutes after Ms Aisbitt, where Carole was then transported to hospital and medical staff discovered she had suffered a bleed on the brain.
Carole has since made a good recovery from her ordeal.
When asked how she knew what to do, Pearl explained: "I knew the number and I just memorised it because I really love my mum."
The sisters were invited to meet the emergency teams who responded that day and received their commendation certificates from Ms Aisbitt, followed by a tour of an ambulance.
Carole said: "I am so happy and so proud. I think this is the proudest day of my life.
"I knew Pearl was smart, but you don't know how a child will cope in an emergency."
Stuart Crichton, Director of 999 operations at London Ambulance Service, urged parents to teach children how to call for help, including knowing their full address and how to open the front door.