Sisters get award for 999 call after dad collapsed

Grace (left) and Maisie Tooley were at home when their father Adam collapsed

Two girls who called the emergency services when their father collapsed have received bravery awards.

Maisie and Grace Tooley, aged 11 and 12 respectively, were at home in Toton, Nottinghamshire, when Adam Tooley collapsed, struck his head and started fitting on 13 September.

They rang 999 and then followed instructions to keep their father's airway clear and update medical teams on his condition.

Their parents said they were "really proud" the girls had been nominated by the call handler they spoke to.

Mr Tooley, who is a GP, said: "I had only been back home 20 minutes and was tidying stuff away when I started to feel light-headed.

"My next memory is being in the back of the ambulance."

Grace said: "Dad was heating up dinner when he told me he felt dizzy.

"He then went into the hallway and fell backwards and hit his head on the cabinet, which made his head bleed.

"I shook him and shouted at him but got no response. He started shaking."

Phone instructions

Maisie said: "I called 999 while Grace was on the phone to our mum.

"We were scared but the lady on the phone from the ambulance service told us to roll him on his back and see if his chest was going up and down.

"She helped us by giving us instructions of what we needed to do to help dad."

The call was answered by emergency medical advisor, Sam Priestley, who said: "I could not fault them from start to finish.

"Grace and Maisie were able to get their dad the response he needed based on the vital information they were able to provide during the call.

"They were able to give me clear and direct answers to every question I asked them, despite being faced with the very scary situation of their dad being poorly, bleeding and unresponsive."

Mr Tooley was diagnosed as having had a vasovagal syncope – a brief loss of consciousness linked to stress - which he described as "a wake-up call".

He said: "I'm really proud of Grace and Maisie for what they did.

"While I feel guilty for putting them through this ordeal, it's reassuring they would know what to do if faced with an emergency situation again."