"Incredibly brave" girl with autism called 999 to help mum
Date: 17 March 2025A four-year-old girl in Suffolk has received a bravery award from the ambulance service for calling 999 when her mum became unresponsive at home.
Esmai Boyce, from Clare, Suffolk, called 999 on 2 December last year when her mum, Lauren, would not respond to her. Esmai has autism and a speech delay meant she only learnt to speak properly a year ago, but despite this she was able to speak to call handler Hollie Kett in the Norwich Emergency Operations Centre and get help for her mum.
Lauren eventually regained consciousness and provided contact details for family members who could come to the house to look after Esmai while paramedics were on the way.
An ambulance crew arrived and transported Lauren to West Suffolk Hospital.
Esmai was presented with a bravery award from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust’s (EEAST) Chief Executive, Neill Moloney. She was also reunited with the call handler Hollie, who still remembers the call and how brave Esmai was.
Lauren Everitt, Esmai’s mum, said: "The whole family is incredibly proud of how Esmai reacted when I wouldn’t respond, and she was able to get help for me by calling 999. It’s amazing that, despite her delayed speech, she spoke to the ambulance service, and they were able to locate our address using the phone signal.
"For her to receive this award is phenomenal, and she hasn’t stopped talking about it to her friends at school."
Hollie Kett, EEAST call handler, said: "I still remember when I answered Esmai’s call in December – it’s one of those calls you don’t forget. Esmai was incredibly brave on the phone, and from what she told me, I arranged for an ambulance crew to go to her house and help her mum. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet Esmai in person and give her a big hug!"
While receiving her award at Sudbury ambulance station, Esmai also had the opportunity to look round an ambulance with local operations manager Liam Walker.
Photo caption: EEAST CEO Neill Moloney (bottom right) presents a bravery award to Esmai Boyce, with West Suffolk operations manager Liam Walker (top left) and call handler Hollie Kett (top right).
