Altona Meadows youngster Emily Valenzuela has been named a junior Triple Zero hero for helping save her grandfather when he collapsed.
Emily, 13, has been awarded an Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) award for her actions.
Emily’s grandmother, Genoveva, had called triple-0 when her husband, Gerry, became unconscious in his room. Emily took over the call and climbed through the window as her grandfather had fallen against the door.
“My grandmother was a little bit panicked, so she couldn’t really talk on the phone,” Emily said.
She followed the operator’s instructions while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
“They were telling me to check his breathing and they also said to see if I could try to move him, but … every time you tried to grab him to move him, he would cry out in pain.”
An ambulance was quick to arrive and managed to open the door and stretcher her grandfather out. Emily received her award, along with 26 other children, from Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett.
“These young heroes have stood out for their bravery in situations that could send even the calmest of adults into a panic,” the Minister said.
