“My sister and my dad were riding the quad and my dad rolled the quad … his eyes are at the top of his head”.
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These were Nicholas Folkes’ first words to the operator who answered his triple-0 call after an accident at his Eskdale farm.
In a shaky voice, the 10-year-old explained what happened on November 1, describing the unconscious state and staggered breathing of his father, Paul.
Half-way into the call, his mother Shiree arrives home from work and takes over until paramedics arrive.
Nicholas’ actions that day have gained him an Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority Junior Triple Zero Award.
He was one of 51 children presented with the accolade by Emergency Services Minister James Merlino on Tuesday – something Nicholas was very excited about.
“I was breath-taken (to get the award),” he said.
“It was actually my parents that taught me how to ring triple-0.
“The (paramedics) said ‘Well done’ and checked Victoria out and got dad in the ambulance … it was scary.”
Mr Folkes, who, like daughter Victoria was not seriously injured and was released from hospital within days, said he couldn’t be more proud of his son.
“We do what every parent does and taught him to use triple-0, and I know the local policeman has had a couple chats with kids at the phone box about the importance of it for emergencies,” he said.
“The award is a one-in-a-lifetime thing.”
Mrs Folkes said knowing the situation could have been worse emphasized the importance of Nicholas’ actions and paramedics’ response.
“I want to make special mention of the ambulance service and volunteers, we’re very grateful,” she said.