A BOY aged just six has been hailed a hero after he helped to stop his dad slipping into a diabetic coma.
Now Callum Tetley’s dad Shaun is urging all parents to make sure their children know how to deal with an emergency.
When diabetic Shaun collapsed in front of Callum shortly after the pair returned home from a swimming trip at Dearne Valley Leisure Centre, the Mexborough youngster knew just what to do - and he dashed to a neighbour for help.
The neighbour raced back home with him, before ringing for an ambulance.
Shaun, aged 50, was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary where he received treatment to stabilise his blood sugar levels and an irregular heartbeat.
Shaun said: “I was fine when we were at the pool. But I just remember getting home and everything slowing down before I sank.
“There was only Callum there as Sharon my wife was shopping with our youngest son Jayden.
“Callum’s a boisterous little lad who loves swimming and being out and about, especially on his bike. I wouldn’t have expected him to know what to do at his age in that situation. I can’t believe how great he was.
“The ambulance staff couldn’t praise him enough. They said he was a little star.”
After several hours in hospital Shaun was allowed to return to the family home in Comelybank Drive, Mexborough.
Shaun last had a seizure several years ago, and has to undertake daily insulin injections.
He added: “Callum knows that I have a condition because I inject every day, but we never thought about teaching him what to do if I fell into a coma.
“Callum managed to do it on his own for me and I can’t thank him enough, along with our neighbour Michelle Cooper and all the medical staff who helped.
“They were rushed off their feet at the hospital but they were brilliant. They said that by acting straightaway Callum had stopped me from falling into a deep coma.
“As soon as I got home from hospital I gave Callum a big cuddle, and we were able to spoil him a bit.
“I’d like to use this opportunity to urge people who do have serious health conditions to tell their kids how to act in an emergency.
“It might save their lives one day.”
Ambulance bosses have also praised Callum, who is a pupil at Castle Academy.
David Williams, deputy director of operations at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “A big well done to Callum for his actions and for staying calm when faced with what must have been a very difficult situation.
“He did all the right things to get help, and his dad must be very proud of him.
“I would encourage all parents and guardians to teach their children what to do in a real emergency and how their children should call for help should they need to.”
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