Cool Jamie helps save father's life

Jan 29 2008 By Mark Cowan

A COOL-HEADED Worcestershire lad has been praised for calmness under pressure when his father collapsed at home.

Jamie Mortiboys, aged 10, from Bromsgrove, was on hand when his dad Colin fell to the floor with sever back spasms.

Despite the emergency, Jamie kept his head, alerted emergency services and then looked after his father until the ambulance crews arrived.

As Colin was being taken to hospital, Jamie even arranged for a relative to come to his house to look after him and his sister, so they wouldn't be left home alone.

The youngster has now been honoured for his maturity with a West Midlands Ambulance Service award.

Jamie was presented with a Chief Officer's Commendation in front of classmates during morning assembly at Aston Fields Middle School.

Jamie's proud parents Colin and Sarah Mortiboys were at the ceremony.

Colin said: "Jamie has always shown maturity and this was evident in the excellent way he dealt with the situation at hand. I am very proud of him.

"I'd also like to thank West Midlands Ambulance Service for asking Jamie all the right questions and for keeping him calm."

Mum Sarah added: "I'm really proud of him. I was at work at the time.

"Jamie got all his priorities right. He called his great aunt to arrange childcare, then called me to tell me what had happened. He sounded calm and collected."

Awarding the Chief Officer's Commendation, Nick Harris, divisional manager for Worcestershire said: "Jamie thought of all the other priorities, as well as looking after his dad. He showed great courage and confidence."

Anthony Marsh, Chief Executive Officer of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "Jamie's actions were both prompt and effective and indeed a very mature approach to a serious situation."