LISTEN: ‘Superhero’ Colby saved mum’s life with 999 call

A ‘superhero lifesaver’ was how a five-year-old boy, who dialled 999 when his mum was taken seriously ill, has been described by Guernsey’s chief ambulance officer.

Colby Bridgman was just five years old when dialled 999 to call an ambulance when he realised his mum, Jess Payne, was seriously ill. Yesterday he received an award from the St John Emergency Ambulance Service. (Pictures by Sophie Rabey, 31701511)

Colby Bridgman, who is now six, dialled the emergency services after his mum collapsed at their home in September.

Presenting him with an award at the ambulance station yesterday, Mark Mapp praised Colby’s coolness under pressure.

‘Sometimes even adults don’t know what to do when they dial 999, so he did a fantastic job,’ he said.

LISTEN: Colby's 999 call

‘Bearing in mind his mum was seriously unwell, and he was all alone, that must have been hugely scary for him. To compose himself, dial 999 and answer all those questions was really phenomenal.’

Colby’s mum, Jess Payne, said she had no warning of the drama that was about to unfold that evening.

‘I’d been out with friends that afternoon and was feeling fine, and I just started feeling a bit funny while I was chatting to Colby, and then the next thing I remember was waking up in the ambulance.’

After his mum collapsed, Colby immediately dialled 999 and was able to give all the information needed to get an ambulance swiftly to his home.

Colby’s mum had suffered a hemiplegic migraine – a type of migraine that causes physical weakness, dizziness and communication problems.

A proud moment for Colby Bridgman, now aged six, who was was only five when he stayed calm and called an ambulance when his mother, Jess Payne, fell ill. Yesterday he received an award from the St John Emergency Ambulance Service. Left to right, chief ambulance officer, Mark Mapp, Colby with his grandmother and mother, and Nicolette Hamon and Jen Lindfield, the crew of the ambulance which responded to his call. (31701476)

She had never suffered from one before.

She spent 10 days in hospital and Colby’s swift actions probably saved her life.

‘I’m really proud of him. I was quite emotional finding out afterwards exactly what he had done.’

Also accepting an award was control room operator Elizabeth Arklie, who took Colby’s call and stayed on the phone with him for 15 minutes until the ambulance and paramedics arrived at his house.

Elizabeth Arklie was the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre call handler who took Colby's call. (31701478)

She too was amazed by the young boy’s calmness.

‘He didn’t panic, he just gave really clear information.’

Yesterday was the first time that she and Colby had met.

‘It’s so nice to meet him. There’s a handful of calls you’ll never forget and this was definitely one of them.’

And a job in the emergency services may be a future career option for Colby. His mum said it was something he often talked about.

n To hear Colby's 999 call, visit this story at www.guernseypress.com