Boy aged two dialled 999 to save unconscious mum
- Published
Hanlon Stevenson saved his mum when he called 999
A toddler saved his mum's life when he called 999 after discovering her unconscious.
Hanlon Stevenson was only two when his mum Lisa suffered a seizure at their former home in Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, in February 2019.
Ms Stevenson was unconscious and the worried toddler could not wake her up.
But instead of becoming upset as his mum lay unresponsive, Hanlon remembered how to dial 999 for help in an emergency.
Ms Stevenson's seizures are caused by a condition called Chiari malformation, which means the lower part of the brain pushes down into the spinal canal.
She had taught Hanlon about calling for help if an emergency ever happened. But she never thought a time would come when the knowledge was needed.
Hanlon spoke to a call handler, shouting: "Mummy is sleeping and I can't wake her."
Police officers were sent to the address and an ambulance was summoned when they saw Hanlon and Ms Stevenson through the window.
Unconscious but breathing, Ms Stevenson was treated by paramedics and taken to Forth Valley Hospital.
She said: "If it wasn't for Hanlon I don't think I would be here. I am just so proud of him.
"He was only two when he dialled 999. It's incredible."
'Stepped forward with courage'
Hanlon, who is now five years old and pupil at Bannockburn Primary School, is one of a number of people honoured at a Police Scotland awards ceremony.
Members of the public, police officers and police staff were celebrated at the Chief Constable's Bravery and Excellence Awards at Tulliallan College on Friday.
The chief constable, Sir Iain Livingstone, said the awards illustrated the "bravery and professionalism" of police officers and staff across Scotland.
And he added: "It is a privilege to recognise the bravery of our fellow citizens who stepped forward with courage when need arose."
The other award winners included:
The twins who pulled a teenager from the sea
Twins Jonathan and Christopher Easton were playing football and then found themselves in a dramatic rescue
In July 2021, twins Jonathon and Christopher Easton were playing football near Ayr esplanade when they saw a 15-year-old girl, fully clothed, walking into the sea.
Concerned for her safety, they both entered the water and located the girl, who was unconscious and unresponsive.
They pulled the girl to the safety of shallow water, where they were joined by friends who assisted in removing her fully from the water.
Following treatment from health professionals, the girl made a full recovery.
The officers who stopped a man armed with knives
PCs Lee Brown, Sharon Bradbury and Gary Drewett
In September 2021, police in East Kilbride faced a man brandishing knives at members of the public. PCs Lee Brown, Sharon Bradbury and Gary Drewett and other officers attended the scene, locating the man and containing his movements to protect the public.
The man threatened to stab the officers, striking the police vehicle with a knife and throwing another one at the officers.
The trio brought the man under control, and were praised for removing the risk of harm to the wider community.
The patrol officers who ran into a burning building
PC Euan Macleod and another officer ran into a burning building to make sure residents got out safely
In September 2021, PC Euan MacLeod and another officer were on patrol in Dundee when they saw smoke coming from a flat and a man sitting on the window ledge.
The officers entered the building, now fully engulfed in flames and smoke, to rescue him and other residents while they waited for the fire service.
PC MacLeod and the officer's "quick thinking and courageous actions" got everyone out of the building safely.
'That guy' campaign
The "that guy" campaign on social media channels was a huge success
The "That guy" campaign featured young men encouraging others to challenge behaviours and tackle sexual crimes against women.
The adverts set out to challenge the link between men's perception of sexual entitlement and serious sexual offending.
Police Scotland described it as the most successful UK policing campaign this century, resulting in changes to government and police strategies UK-wide.
It was so successful a follow-up campaign was also launched last year.