Hero boy calls for help after mom faints behind wheel

By Ed Chatterton

This is the incredible moment a hero 12-year-old boy saved his mom's life by calling 999 (911 in UK) after she collapsed behind the wheel while driving.

Quick-thinking Zac Howells managed to take control of Nicola Crump's car and steer it to safety after she passed out at the wheel while traveling at 60mph.

Nicola, 37, lost consciousness with her foot remaining on the accelerator - before Zac managed to slow the car down before crashing it into a barrier.

Once the vehicle had stopped by the A40 near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, he switched off the engine and called 988.

West Mercia Police has now released audio footage of the call of Zac stays calm and directs call-handlers to their location.

Zac can be heard saying: "Basically I'm driving on a highway and my mom just fainted so I had to crash the car to stop.

"Her foot went down on the pedal and it started accelerating, so I had to crash into the barrier."

The call-handler replies: "Oh my goodness, is everyone alright?"

Zac says: "Well I mean, she's snoring, so I think she's okay.

"I dunno, I'm really scared."

Heartwarming footage then captured Nicola regaining consciousness and Zac telling her: "Mom, it's alright. Calm down, it's fine.

"Hold my hand, you OK? Mom breathe."

Nicola asks: "I passed out?"

Zac says: "Yeah and then you accelerated."

An emotional Nicola replies: "Oh Zac, I'm sorry."

Zac, comforting her, comically responds: "No mom, it's fine. I just drove the car. It's really easy."

He then adds: "It's fine, I'm worried about you, not me."

Nicola repeatedly apologizes as Zac continues to reassure her "It's fine, mom, you're OK.

"I know we're fine, I knew we were going to be fine."

This week, Zac was commended for his bravery after being awarded a Chief Constable’s Commendation by West Mercia Police.

He visited the force's HQ in Hindlip, Worcs., meeting the call-handlers and officers who responded to the incident on December 14.

Nicola, of Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, told the BBC: "It's been incredible.

"I'm just so proud of him and I'm so appreciative of the effort that everyone has gone through to make such a fuss of Zac."

Nicola and Zac had been traveling from Wales to the Birmingham Christmas market when the drama unfolded.

Zac said: "Even to this day, I don't see it as a big deal but from other people's perspective it is."

Chief Constable Richard Cooper said: “I am delighted to present Zac with this award today following what must have been an extremely frightening experience for such a young boy.

“For a 12-year-old to react in such a calm and mature manner is magnificent and I would like to express my gratitude for his actions that day.

“His display of bravery certainly extinguished any danger to them both but also that of other members of the public who were on the road that day.”