Brave boy helps mum

An eight-year-old boy put his first aid skills into practice recently when his mum was injured in a terrifying fall.

Young Reece Bethel (pictured), from Basingstoke, was getting ready for school when he heard a thud and found mum Dawn collapsed in a heap at the bottom of the stairs.

His first aid instincts took over and Reece checked to see if she was all right before calling for help.

‘I put my ear to Mummy’s cheek and heard her breathing,’ he said. ‘But I didn’t put her in the recovery position in case she had hurt her back.

‘I phoned Granddad and then I sat next to Mummy and tried to wake her up, but she didn’t respond. I wasn’t scared but I just felt concerned.’

Ten minutes later Reece’s granddad, George, arrived on the scene just as Dawn was regaining consciousness.

They took her to the North Hampshire Hospital where she was treated for a suspected broken wrist and severe back pain.

Dawn praised his bravery: ‘He was just brilliant and came with me to hospital to check that I was ok. He didn’t tell my dad that I was unconscious because he didn’t want to worry him.’

Reece, is a Badger with Basingstoke’s St John Ambulance and has been learning first aid for years – he has even shown off his skills to fellow pupils at Fairfields Primary School.

His mum Dawn is the Badger Leader and Grandad George Bethel is Superintendent of the Basingstoke unit.

Gill Rickards, Youth Commissioner for St John Ambulance Hampshire, praised Reece’s actions: ‘He acted quickly, safely and calmly. It just shows how important it is for children to learn first aid.’