Lily, nine, and Eva, six, use mother Claire Barber’s phone to call emergency services after she falls unconscious in her car in Wigan

When a mother collapsed unconscious at the wheel she was lucky to have a cool-headed lifesaver nearby: her nine-year-old daughter, Lily.

The girl calmly told the emergency operator that her mother, Claire Barber, had pulled over with a headache and then collapsed.

Greater Manchester police (GMP) have released the 10-minute transcript of her call as it won Lily and her six-year-old sister, Eva, a bravery award.



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The sisters called for help when Barber pulled over on East Lancashire Road with a headache before collapsing unconscious, in Wigan last November.

Lily and Eva reached over from the back seats and took their mother’s mobile phone from her handbag, before Lily dialled 999. During the conversation with GMP call-handler Stephanie Baxter, the nine-year-old revealed the family’s location, direction of travel, car type and Claire’s medical history. The sisters directed police and paramedics to their location by reading out surrounding road signs and describing the area.

Both girls were panicked at first but calmed as the call progressed. Lily was heard saying “mummy has passed out near the motorway near Boothstown” and went on to say Claire was “cold and only just breathing”. She then gave the make and model of the car and the girls’ names.

Lily went on to say her mother was “alive but really poorly” before saying “I know CPR, but I’m not very good at it”. The girl recognised a nearby industrial estate and over the course of the conversation, their location became clearer to Baxter, who had already dispatched officers.

The two sisters have been given bravery certificates and praised by GMP’s chief constable, Ian Hopkins.



Barber, who has a pre-existing medical condition after being diagnosed with meningitis as a child, was checked and made a full recovery. She said: “I have very little recollection of what happened, but I am extremely proud of both Lily and Eva. It was scary but I have taught them how to dial 999 from a young age – I think it’s very important for all children.

“I have tried to teach them what to do in any emergency with regards to contacting the police and what to say. I was even more impressed with the way that Lily and Eva listened to the call-handler and to each other while it was happening.”

She added: “Lily does most of the talking, but they both do really well. I just started to feel really sick with a headache so immediately pulled over near the Zest restaurant. That’s the last thing I remember. From what the girls told me I had fallen unconscious. After that I came around surrounded by police and paramedics. I want to thank all those involved, and call-handler Stephanie, and the girls were really chuffed to meet the chief constable.”

Baxter was also honoured for her work.

Hopkins said the sisters showed real bravery and maturity. He said: “It was a real privilege to meet Lily and Eva and present them with a commendation.”