Children saved their mum's life after cardiac arrest

Arianna, Oliver and mum Donna with ambulance workers who came to her aid

A brother and sister have been praised by the Scottish Ambulance Service for their quick-thinking that saved their mother's life.

Oliver and Arianna Liddle found mum, Donna, 38, lying on the bathroom floor of their Aberdeen home after she suffered a cardiac arrest

Arianna, nine, dialled 999 for help while Oliver, 11, put his mother in the recovery position.

Ambulance crews arrived on the scene within six minutes of the incident on 3 June. Donna was taken to hospital and had a defibrillator fitted.

She said she was “extremely proud” of her children for their quick reaction.

“Without a shadow of doubt, they saved my life,” she said.

“They were faced with a traumatic situation a lot of adults would struggle with.”

Donna had been about to leave with the children for school while her husband was away working in London.

Arianna found her “turning blue” on the floor and screamed for Oliver to help.

She ran across the road to alert neighbours while Oliver spoke to a 999 call handler and put Mrs Liddle in the recovery position.

A neighbour performed CPR before ambulance crews arrived to take over. Mrs Liddle was given three defibrillation shocks which restarted her heart.

'Grateful to be here'

In hospital Mrs Liddle was fitted with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator which would help her if the same happens again.

The family visited Aberdeen Ambulance Station to meet some of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) staff who attended.

Oliver and Arianna were presented with special certificates and SAS teddies for their quick-thinking and bravery.

Donna said: "The survival statistics of a cardiac arrest are low, and I feel very grateful to be here to tell the tale.

"We cannot believe the kindness and compassion the SAS staff demonstrated. The kids are delighted with the certificates."

Paramedic Monica Hurley, who was part of the crew who hepped Donna, said: "We're so pleased to see Donna has made such a good recovery.

“The brave actions of her children saved her life that day - early intervention is critical in out of hospital cardiac arrests."